Archive for the ‘Luke Puckett’ Category

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is facing public pressure from both the left and right to step down from his chairmanship as ethics investigations into his use-and possible abuse-of his office continue and more and more ethical lapses come to light. So far, Rep. Rangel has admitted that he has failed to pay $10,000 in taxes on income from a villa that he owns in the Dominican Republic. Rep. Rangel’s excuse is that every time he tried to work with his Dominican business partners they “started speaking Spanish” to him.

Joe Donnelly has accepted $5,000 from Rangel’s personal political action committee and yesterday he voted against a House measure that would have required Rangel to step down while the ethics investigations are under way. Is it possible that a $5,000 contribution is interfering with Donnelly’s pledge to bring ethics reform to Washington? Perhaps Donnelly should return the $5,000 to Rangel so Rep. Rangel can look into whether or not he can use that money to pay his tax bill.

Luke Puckett, because of his humanitarian work in Central and South America, fluently speaks Spanish. It may be that voters in the 2nd Congressional District should vote for Mr. Puckett in part because he will be able to help Rep. Rangel understand what his foreign business partners are saying and avoid ethical and legal lapses of this sort in the future.

Speaking of the entire situation, Luke Puckett said “I would gladly help Mr. Rangel understand what his business partners are saying if I am elected and I trust that Mr. Donnelly will do his part in returning the $5,000 contribution made to him from this ethically challenged Democratic congressman’s PAC.”

Luke Puckett, Republican candidate for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd District, called on Joe Donnelly to start being honest with 2nd District Hoosiers. “He has one line for those of us back home and he’s got a different line for those in Washington. He tells us one thing and then he goes to Washington and does another,” Puckett declared.

As a specific example of Donnelly’s inability to be honest with constituents, Puckett points to a letter Donnelly sent to a constituent in March of 2007 regarding the troop surge in Iraq. In the letter, Donnelly declares that he will not support legislation mandating troop withdrawals or de-funding of the War in Iraq. In the weeks that followed that pledge, however, Donnelly voted twice [Roll Calls 186 and 624 cast during the 2007 session] to set mandatory deadlines for withdrawal of all American military personnel from Iraq regardless of conditions on the ground and irrespective of the best judgment of commanders in the field.

“The most important commodity that an elected official has is the public’s trust and when he or she fails that trust by being dishonest and disingenuous about a particular issue, then the official shows that they don’t have what it takes to be a leader,” Puckett stated, “I will be honest with constituents whether it’s popular or not because honest disagreement is better that false and misleading agreement. Honesty will be a priority.”

On the broader issue of national security, Puckett declared “Our national security is strengthened when we build a strong and ready military and put the world on notice that we will use it only as a last resort. The highest duty of any Congressman, Senator or President is to protect this country by making sound national security related decisions. Such decisions involve far more than simply making a judgment call about when to go to war and when to not go to war, they also require an understanding of who our enemies are, why they wish to see our destruction, and what we must do to win the battle of ideas.”

Speaking to a crowd of voters at a candidate forum in Plymouth last night, Congressional candidate Luke Puckett substituted a brief address remembering the events of 9/11/01 for his normal stump speech. The text of his remarks can be found below.

“Good evening, my name is Luke Puckett and I am running for Congress. I am a husband, father of three, and small business owner and employer from Elkhart. I am running for Congress because I believe that it’s time for some common sense solutions in Washington. From the slowing economy to high energy prices, Washington has failed to put in place policies that will help the hardworking people of Indiana.

“Tonight, I want to deviate a little from my normal campaign speech. Instead of talking about Washington’s lack of leadership and lack of response to our problems, I want to talk about a day in which we saw leadership and in which we saw a courageous response to pressing needs.

“Since the fall of the Soviet Union we pondered how we would meet the global challenges of the new era. We were lulled into a false sense of security and we wondered if we would ever again face monumental threats to our existence and our ideas. But liberty has always had its foes and history handed us our moment to stand on a late summer day 7 years ago.

“On September 11th, 2001 when we saw hate in action in the form of a terrible attack that ranged from the World Trade Center in New York City to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to a cornfield in Pennsylvania. Those who perpetrated this evil act were motivated by a venomous ideology of bondage and totalitarianism. Their motives were evil and their actions were cowardly.

(Read more below the fold) (more…)

By: Luke Puckett

Recent events have showed us how important it is that we become energy independent not only for our own economic prosperity but also for our own security. Over 30 years ago our nation experienced a severe energy crisis because 12% of our annual oil supply was provided by foreign sources of oil. Today, we are even more vulnerable as nearly 70% of our oil energy needs are met by foreign sources that are all too often hostile to our interests and our values.

The threat posed by our reliance on foreign oil is illustrated by the recent conflict between Russia and our brave but small ally Georgia. Russia’s irresponsible, unfortunate and inappropriate bullying of Georgia is not about liberating some radical groups from imagined atrocities. It is about Russia’s expansion of power not just into neighboring states but into the global scene.

A key network of oil and natural gas pipelines stretches across Georgia. This network, which was due for an expansion until Russia’s aggressive destruction jeopardized the construction of new pipelines, is a vital link between Caucasus oil and natural gas resources and the energy users of Europe and the United States. Russia’s drastic invasion has allowed them to seize strategic control of the pipelines and it has given them the power to negotiate for world acceptance of their heavy-handed and anti-freedom actions.

Also looming large as a threat to our security is Iran’s control of the flow of roughly 40% of the world’s daily oil output. Iran’s leaders have stated that it is their aim to end America and destroy the ideals of liberty. We may consider these thugs crazed and incoherent, but we must take their apocalyptic declarations seriously because they are even now building and honing their capacity to execute their dark visions.

The time for words should be over; the time for action is now. We must put the world on notice that we will not sacrifice the strength of our national security on the altar of outdated government red-tape regulations that form a nearly impenetrable dam to the flow of our own domestic energy resources. We must move boldly and quickly to allow for a dramatic expansion of environmentally responsible domestic oil drilling.

Our children should not have to grow up in a world where their freedom and their mobility is dictated to them by backward looking tyrants who desperately seek to maintain some semblance of control in a world where their ideology has been discarded as a failure. You and I have a responsibility to strengthen our security and secure our future. I pledge to you that if you elect me to Congress this November, I will go to Washington to fight out of touch politicians to lower your gas prices.

Luke Puckett is running for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District on a platform of common-sense solutions. You can learn more about him by visiting his website at www.puckett08.com.

Congressman Baron Hill (D-San Francisco Seymour) just sent me an e-mail inviting me to the 2008 Southern Indiana Economic Forum. To be more precise, I was actually one of the dozen or so people who actually subscribe to Baron’s official Congressional e-mail list, “Baron’s Briefings”, and bother to read it when it comes.

The event is to take place on September 5th in New Albany and the second session is a panel discussion entitled “Gas Prices 101″. That one looks interesting. You see, Gas Prices 101 is much like Economics 101. In Economics 101 you learn that the fundamental process behind prices is supply and demand. When the supply of something stays the same while the demand rises, then prices go up. As applied to Gas Prices 101 this lesson means that when the supply of gas stays the same and the demand goes up, then gas prices go up. Politics 101 says that when your congressman votes against drilling for domestic oil he is effectively voting for high gas prices. After these three lessons, you, the voter, get to do a practical exercise in Government 101 by throwing the aforementioned congressman (who voted against domestic drilling) out of office.

Of course, you need to be voting for something, not just against something. Mike Sodrel and Luke Puckett both provide voters in the 9th and 2nd Districts respectively with something to vote for. In addition to being the only candidates in each race who have not voted against domestic drilling, the two of them have met first hand with energy experts to discuss what needs to be done to lower gas prices. Both men will be strong advocates for domestic drilling-and thus lower gas prices-when they get to Washington.

It wasn’t that long ago that candidates for Congress, Luke Puckett and Mike Sodrel, were up in Alaska checking out ANWR and Pruhoe Bay and campaigning on the need for independence from foreign oil.  While up there, they had a chance to meet with the Governor, now Vice Presidential running mate to John McCain, Sarah Palin.  This is what they had to say upon hearing she became Senator McCain’s choice for VP today.

Luke Puckett:

“Today I extend my congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin on this momentous day for her, and for our party. She is an excellent pick for this position and I believe that her dedication, work-ethic, and ability to persuasively advocate for common-sense policies will be an asset to the nation. Governor Palin knows first-hand how important it is for us to increase our nation’s use of domestic oil reserves and her selection to be Senator McCain’s Vice Presidential nominee illustrates the importance of the energy issue in our national discussion.”

Mike Sodrel:

“I had the opportunity to meet with Gov. Sarah Palin on my recent trip to ANWR. I found her to be very down-to-earth and personable.

She is a person who would feel at home in Southern Indiana. She hunts and fishes, and is pro-life.

I’m proud to be on the ballot with the McCain/Palin ticket at the top. There is a clear contrast between McCain/Palin/Sodrel and Obama/Biden/Hill when it comes to the future for our children and grandchildren.”

It’s a great thing to have a local radio show host who’s as hard hitting as some of the top conservative talkers on the nationwide radio dial. Peter Heck, who’s based in Kokomo, Indiana, has been using his radio show to call out Joe Donnelly for his failed energy policy of votes against domestic drilling. Yesterday Heck did a great job of expounding on some of Donnelly’s votes against domestic drilling and expanded refinery capacity.

Apparently Donnelly, who’s been on the show once, isn’t interested in explaining his votes to constituents because he’s refusing to come back on the show to explain what’s he’s been up too. So much fore the “independent voice” idea; you can’t be a “voice” when you are silent.

Standing as a stark alternative to Joe Donnelly is Luke Puckett. Luke’s message is this simple: I am going to Washington to fight out-of-touch politicians who are doing nothing to lower your gas prices.

Listen to Peter Heck’s segment on Joe Donnelly below.

 

 Peter Heck Calling out Congressman Joe Donnelly: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This presser was just release by the Puckett for Congress campaign.

Puckett States that He Supports an End to the August Recess Until Energy Reform Legislation is Passed

South Bend, IN-Second district Congressional candidate Luke Puckett issued the below statement today.

“Since Friday afternoon a cadre of Congressmen has gone to the floor of the United States House of Representatives to demand that Congress come back from its August recess to have a debate and vote on legislation that would lower the price of gas. Led by individuals such as Rep. Mike Pence, these members are refusing to take a vacation when they know that Congress has not done its job in passing a comprehensive energy reform bill.

“Americans cannot take a vacation from the high gas prices and Congress shouldn’t be taking a vacation until it has done its part to expand our nation’s access to domestic energy supplies. Joe Donnelly and the other members of Congress should not go on recess until they have earned the right to do so.

“I fully support the actions of those members of Congress who are calling for this Congress to be more responsible and I pledge that when I am elected I will fight for meaningful energy reform that will allow us to access our own oil. It is time for us to stop relying on foreign oil for 66% of petroleum needs.”

Puckett also noted that on Monday, August 11, 2008 he will publicly call on President Bush to call Congress back from its vacation for the specific purpose of debating and voting on a comprehensive energy policy bill.

Luke Puckett calls into Hoosier Access Radio and gives his thoughts on General Secretary Pelosi and her willing servant Joe Donnelly’s shutdown of the House with no vote on energy policy.

 

 Luke Puckett [8:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Puckett for Congress campaign issued the below press release today as the Democrat do-nothing Congress heads home for the August recess.

South Bend, IN-Congress is slated to begin its summer recess at the conclusion of work today. During the recess Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) will be conducting a book tour for her new book titled “Know Your Power, A Message to America’s Daughters.”

Since its release on Tuesday, the book has been anything but a best seller with Amazon.com ranking its position in overall sales at 1,457 as of Friday morning. The book’s price on Amazon.com is $16.29.

“While I’m glad to see that Speaker Pelosi has written a book about some of her observations and experiences, it is unfortunate that she has presided over a do-nothing Congress that has earned the lowest approval rating in history,” declared Luke Puckett, the Republican candidate for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd District.

“It may be,” continued Puckett, “that the low initial books sales are the result of a desire on the part of the American people to use the money from the $16.29 price of the book to buy four gallons of gas so they can drive to work or go to the grocery store.”

Note: Some highly determined House Republicansare executing a dramatic-and potentially historic-maneuver this afternoon by staying on the House floor even after the recess to protest the Democrat’s failure to pass energy reform legislation that allows us to drill for our own oil.

Anyone care to explain to me why Nancy Pelosi and her cadre of Democrat misfits (who we, unfortunately have to refer to as the majority in the House) would leave Congress for a paid five week vacation without doing anything regarding the energy crisis? But wait! Nancy and misfits may have left, the Republicans have stayed behind even though Nancy turned out the lights.

Jeff Emanuel reports from Red State:

Hoping that the nation’s energy problem will go away if they just go home and ignore it for a few weeks, the Democrats have voted to adjourn early, turned off the lights in the lower chamber, and are trying to lock the doors to make sure no business can be done until September.

The fly in the ointment? Fifteen or so House Republicans, led by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), refused to leave the floor, where — after the Democrats turned off the lights and the microphones — they continuied talking gas prices and energy solutions, which the House was scheduled to do this afternoon already before Pelosi, et al declared an early adjournment..

Pelosi is currently trying to have the press gallery cleared and the doors locked, but Rep. Bunt, Shadegg, and Hoekstra have been taking turns remaining with media in the gallery in order to keep it open.

At one point, Shadegg “figured out how to get the lights and microphones back on,” a House insider tells me — but they have since been shut off once again.

It seems as if Republicans are the only ones taking this issue seriously and Hoosiers have been up front and center at working towards solutions.  Congressmen Buyer and Burton have legislation working towards drilling and other methods of energy independence and relief, Congressman Pence is urging a special session to deal with the mess Democrats have left behind to ignore while on a taxpayer funded vacation and Republican candidates for Congress Luke Puckett, Mike Sodrel and Greg Goode have actually gone to ANWR to see for themselves the truth behind domestic drilling.   What are the Democrats doing?

Taking a vacation.

[More Pelosi "Truth is Propaganda" Below The Fold] (more…)