It appears "No Earmarks Ever" Tester is now for Earmarks

Anyone remember this picture of Jack Abramoff that our Senator “No Earmarks Ever” Tester used repeatedly in his 2006 Senate Campaign against incumbent Conrad Burns? Abramoff was on the verge of being convicted for “influence peddling” and pay-offs by trading favors and promoting earmarks for his clients. Abramoff eventually was sentenced to a 6-year term in the federal prison and is currently residing in a Baltimore half-way house awaiting his release after serving 3-1/2 years.

“No Earmarks Ever” Tester repeatedly claimed Senator Burns was in bed with Abramoff and he promised he would never-ever join in the “Culture of Corruption” which he falsely accused Burns of joining because of his campaign donation from Abramoff. Tester further went on record numerous times saying “Quite frankly, I don't support earmarks, period.”  Interestingly, Burns was exonerated yet we never heard one peep from Tester apologizing for his false accusations during the campaign.


According to the Weekly Standard “No Earmarks Ever” Tester has been instrumental in over 239 earmarks since he was elected and is even releasing press releases to us ignorant yucks back home bragging on his “Earmarking abilities.” Whatever happened to that No Earmarks Ever promise Jon? Apparently that was all campaign rhetoric that was forgotten once he joined what he campaigned against which was the “Culture of Corruption” in Washington, DC.

Today Senator Tester got his chance to go on record in his alleged quest began in 2006 to eliminate earmarks and missed the opportunity as the Senate failed to garner enough votes to pass the proposed ban on earmarks. The Flint Report had this to say about the proposed earmark ban;

Noticeably absent from the list of Dems up in 2012 who voted for the earmark ban: Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), who campaigned against the use of earmarks in his 2006 race, saying, “I’m opposed to earmarks, period”

Scroll ahead to the 9 minute mark on this video to hear it said by Mr. Jon "No Earmarks Ever Tester" in his own words during the Tester – Burns debate in Bozeman back in the 2006 campaign.


Certainly there will be those that claim Montana will be short changed if earmarks are eliminated but the country needs to get back on track towards fiscal responsibility. Earmarks are just a smaller portion of the waste in our government but they are the oil that lubricates the passage of huge deficit spending bills. Anyone remember all the “favors” given to those that voted for the ObamaCare bill? It is but one example of a bill that would have failed if not for the votes garnered by the lubricating earmarks attached.


So come on Jon ……………… You promised the voters of Montana better. No Earmarks and No “Culture of Corruption” yet you have already joined the den of vipers you campaigned against.  Have you forgotten that you barely squeaked by Burns by a mere 3,000 votes?

City of Havre Proposed Business License (YET AGAIN)

Here we go again with the proposed city business license ordinance. First we were, then we weren’t then we were then we weren’t; now apparently we are again. No matter what you think of this proposal it is obvious after watching this dog and pony sideshow over the past year that Mayor Tim is easily swayed back and forth by all the varying opinions and stands in the way of the council ever accomplishing anything.  Vote it up or down for crying out loud and move on to something important.  (Maybe you can re-vist the Cat leash law or something?)

The Ordinance Committee is meeting at 5:45 tonight at City Hall to hear public comments regarding the proposed business license. According to the notice from the Chamber of Commerce the proposed ordinance rules include;

• Charging a $25.00 business license fee
• Businesses would have 90 days to register or close your doors or face prosecution
• The City will have the power to tell you to close your doors with a “cease or desist” order if s business fails to comply
• They are also talking a $250 penalty for any business person that dares to ignore them

 

I especially loved the part about the power to serve a business a “Cease and Desist” order if they fail to comply. Wouldn’t someone have to actually go out of their warm office at City Hall to do this? Are they going to target all businesses for compliance or just the obvious downtown guys that already carry most of the load?

You may recall that this all started when the City realized they had no power to regulate medical marijuana businesses although they deny this is the driving motivation behind this proposal. I don’t really have a problem with the licensing itself as we are one of the only cities in Montana without business licensing but let’s make it apply to ALL businesses in all areas of town, not just the select few. Also, how is the City intending on enforcing this ordinance when they only selectively enforce the ones they already have on the books?

If you care be sure and show up tonight to hear the latest before Mayor Tim again waffles and changes the game plan

Jesse Jackson says if you are for repealing ObamaCare you are for Genocide

What is the matter with this guy?

What is Havre adding to the "Kool-Aid"?

What is wrong with these candidates in Havre?


Today Democrat elect Hill County Superintendent Gary Pfister said in a news report in the HDN that “he has decided not to take the office next year” Pfister went on to make excuses and cast the blame on the County Commissioners for his decision. Why would you run for an office if you have no intention of fulfilling your obligation to the county taxpayers once you were elected? Apparently Mr. Pfister is not a follow through with your obligations type of person.  The time to make this decision was BEFORE you filed to run Mr. Pfister.

Back in July of this year the Republican candidate for Hill County Treasurer Bill Gupton suddenly withdrew from the race citing a “better job offer” out of town. While this was somewhat understandable it still left the race with no contest in the November election.

A year ago, not even two weeks after he had won the election for Havre Justice of the Peace, Dave Krezelak resigns the position before he even took office. Dave actually campaigned, spent some of his own cash, and handily beat his opponent by a healthy 600 vote margin only to bail out before he was even officially seated.

Maybe it has something to do with our water? This must be why the Havre water always stinks and tastes funny. Is the Mega-million dollar water plant adding something to our “Kool-Aid”?

Havre's own Representative Wendy Warburton elected GOP Majority Whip

Hill and Blaine County Democrats gave their all to oust House District 33 Representative Wendy Warburton this last election saying she was an “ineffective” Representative and bemoaned the fact that she was running on a pro-life pro-property rights platform. Not only did she surprise them by absolutely rolling over her opponent but now she has been elected to a leadership position in the Republican caucus yesterday.

The Montana Watchdog reports that Mike Milburn of Cascade was elected Speaker of the House and Representative Wendy Warburton from our own House District 33 was elected as one of the Majority Whips. Milburn was quoted as saying

“We’ve got to stand up to an overreaching federal government,” Milburn told fellow House Republicans. “I’m talking about ObamaCare, wolves, national monuments and our environmental regulations"

The rest of the leaders elected by their respective party caucuses can be found on the Montana Republican Legislative Campaign Committee website.

What a great honor for our home town conservative gal and what a boon for those of us fortunate to live on the Hi-line.  Congratulations Wendy!  We look forward to another term of your outstanding service to our area.

Poor Professor Bill must be livid upon hearing that all his efforts to bash Warburton’s fine voting record not only didn’t influence any local voters but also didn’t keep her from this honored spot of leadership

Touché Bill!

Obama in Review

Heads are Starting to Roll at Montana Democrat Headquarters

Nigh over a year ago the Montana Democrat Party hired one David Benson as their Executive Director.  At the time the Missoulian reported these words attributed to Mr. Benson.

"For me coming in to this position, I want to create stability and continuity for the party for now and in the future," Benson said Thursday.

He said he's excited to help build on the successes of Montana Democrats and believes "in order to make good public policy that positively affects the lives of Montanans, we need to elect good policymakers."

He praised Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer and U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester for fighting to make life better for families, farms and businesses.

Looking to the 2010 elections, Benson fixed his sights on the Legislature and five-term U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, the lone Republican statewide elected official.

"First and foremost, it's recruiting good candidates," he said. "It is being competitive all across the state in the legislative races, holding on to our PSC (Public Service Commission) seats that we currently have and, of course, defeating Denny Rehberg."

It is obvious that Mr. Benson’s grand plans fell a little short on Election Day and KXLH TV in Helena today reported that Mr. Benson has been put out to pasture and Ted Dick has been hired to take over the reins of the State Democrat Party still smarting from the beating they took on Election Day. Dick previously was employed by the Montana Service Employee International Union and is expected to begin work cleaning up the mess in December.

In the report on KXLH TV Martin Kidston, communications director for the Montana Democrat Party said

“We simply want to set a new direction early in the campaign process and now is a good time to do that. The Montana Democrat Party stands firm in its commitment to create jobs.”

Hmmmm ……… If they would have been doing that all along instead of walking lock-step with the Obama regime I doubt they would have been pounded into obliviation on this historic Black Tuesday.

"NO Earmarks-Ever" Tester soon to be # 1

Senator Jon "No Earmarks-Ever" Tester has finally accomplished something big. Politico reports he is currently tied with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska as the most “ENDANGERED Senate Democrat” Don’t worry Jon. One more trip to help Nancy Pelosi save a field mouse or one more rally to promote Harry Reid and you will be a slam-dunk for first place.

How about a sequel to the “What’s Good for Nevada-California-Kentucky-Virginia is Good for Montana” campaign pep-rallies you helped with just last month? Or any or the other states you think are the same as Montana – Is it time for Massachusetts again Jon?

Montana Republicans are having a "Victory Banquet"

Apparently getting involved and belly-aching to the political party leaders does indeed garner some attention as it appears I have now been added to the Republican e-mail list.  The e-mail said that Republican National Committee Co-chair Jan Larimer will come to Helena to keynote the event! I may just go to see what is so exciting about these gatherings.  I am sure everyone will be in a jovial mood at least.

Anyone want to join me?

Pay Back to the DNC

Remember when the Democrats slammed the Republicans back in the 1992 election? Well it seems that they hauled a full sized stuffed donkey down and set it in front of the Republican National Headquarters to rub it in a little. Not to be out done the Republicans have saved that same donkey all these years and have returned it to the Democrat Headquarters after the November 2nd GOP sweep of the country.


At least they had some fun but I hope both parties take the Tuesday message from the voters to heart and get back to representing “We the People” instead of all the continued partisan politics of the last two years.

Posted at The Washington Scene

Hill County Buffalo Jump Mural

The election is over and it is time to move on to other topics. Has anyone pulled into the parking lot and actually gotten out to take a look at the new Buffalo Jump mural located just east of Murphy’s? It is a fantastic piece of artwork and the detail is incredible.

Kudos to the Hill County Museum Foundation for making this project a reality.

Poor Hill County Democrats

Why did the Democrats get turned out to pasture in mass last Tuesday? Every talking head, every blog, every newspaper has offered up their “ideas.” In Hill County the Democrats were defeated in every single seat where they had a Republican opponent. Why the big change of heart with voters in what is typically viewed as a Democrat stronghold?

Excuses, excuses, excuses are all we find this last week in any article we have read. In the HDN article by Award winning Timmy Leeds in Fridays paper Hill County Democrat Chairman John Musgrove was quoted as saying “I was extremely surprised that we lost all three (legislative elections) Montana usually doesn’t follow the national trend, and this time it seemed to. “I’m still trying to analyze why that happened,” Musgrove added. Timmy Leeds went on to portray National Review Editor and PSC race winner as a “Republican Blogger” that defeated former Democrat Representative Don Ryan. I know Timmy it hurts but does it make you feel better to misrepresent Mr. Kavulla’s employment even after he won handily over Democrat Don Ryan?

The local Democrats said maybe it’s the war, but isn’t that all Republican Bushes fault? They say people don’t understand the wonders of Obama Care and are just not happy with anything going on. Former representative Toni Hagener is even quoted as saying “Maybe it has to do with the weather, too.” WTH? The weather? Considering this is a quote written by Award winning Timmy Leeds I am going to give Toni the benefit of the doubt and disregard this absurdity as yet another quote taken out of context by the dimwitted reporter yet former PSC Chairman Greg Jergeson thought Hill County was just caught up “in the wave” I would love to hear from our readers what you think happened here in Havre.

Personally I think there was a host of problems leading to the Democrats landslide defeat here in Hill County that had nothing to do with national politics, Obama, Pelosi, the weather or any of the other “excuses” offered by our local Democrats. It is true that people are disgusted by our Senators Baucus and Tester who they feel didn’t truly represent the wishes of Montana in the Health care fiasco and that lead to a poor turnout of Democrat voters. Also both Tester and Baucus abandoned Montana and fled out of state to help their liberal friend’s campaign to protect the Obama agenda and that undoubtedly turned off many voters that normally would have marked their X in the Democrat column but was that enough to cause the huge defeat in Hill County?

Let’s consider what has happened in Hill County these last couple of years. The local GOP has finally gotten it together and has worked as a team. In contrast there are wide-spread reports of the local Democrats fighting amongst themselves and not supporting their candidates. Democrat party leaders were instrumental in the controversial ACLU complaint against Northern, a person viewed as a staunch Democrat and party leader tried to again boycott a local business for openly supporting a Republican, and on and on with community busting endeavors in the name of political gamesmanship. People of both parties have grown weary of these tactics and have decided to give them the “pink slip”

While I have yet to determine the motivation behind the driving force of local GOP volunteers the fact remains that a host of new volunteers rallied behind the Republican candidates this year. They worked tirelessly while their opposition sat back and coasted thinking the people of Hill County would again just vote Democrat because that is what we have always done. It is hard to pass the buck and make excuses when you have just been plainly out-worked and out-smarted. In addition the local Republicans offered up the very best qualified candidates I have ever seen in all the years I have watched Hill County politics in contrast to their less than stellar opponents.

Furthermore, boondoggles like the Highland Park School mess, the never ending courthouse renovations, and the constant bickering between the City and County most assuredly have taken a toll on the over-burdened taxpayers that are tiring of the “Tammany Hall” type thinking of the local politicians

I have to take heart when I see that Democrat Chairman John Musgrove said that they “have to take some time and analyze what happened so we’re prepared for next election” Maybe, just maybe some of our local leaders will finally listen to those they are claiming to represent. Let’s hope so.

Democrat Implosion

This short graphic pretty much shows   the Democrat implosion that occurred on Tuesday.  Short – Sweet – and to the point.

Oil Rig Counts tumble since 2006

Think - Think  - Think -  What happened at the start of 2006 to start this trend?

New Election = New group hopefully = new actions. 



source;  http://www.leg.mt.gov/css/fiscal/default.asp

For those candidates that won by 2 to 1 margins this last tuesday the elections isn't really over.  You were elected by large margins to be a conservative and sane voice in Helena

NOW BE ONE!  We all have our eye on you

Thumbs Up -- Great Job HDN

It’s true that the Corrector has done allot of bellyaching about the inaccuracies in our home town paper but we are the first to admit it when they finally nail one. Wednesday’s front page was a marvelous thing to behold. It was the best laid out page we have ever seen in the Havre Daily News.  Lavoi's picture cut-out at the top of the page and the picture placement was fabulous.

Furthermore the elections articles were well written and surprisingly accurate. Nikki Carlson again proved that the HDN hiring her was the best thing that has ever happened to them. Her photos were marvelous like usual

GREAT JOB HAVRE DAILY NEWS!

Time for Our Bi-annual New Courthouse Steps yet Again

Well they are at it again. The courthouse steps that is. A crew from Dick Anderson Construction started Jack hammering out the courthouse steps yet again yesterday which ironically was the day after the election. I am sure that was just a coincidence and didn’t have anything to do with wanting to protect a Democrat commissioner seat at the courthouse. Didn’t seem to matter though as Hill County voters had finally had enough and decided to try someone that promised not to play partisan politics. I am somewhat surprised that they didn’t wait to start this project until spring so they could blame newly elected Independent Jeff LaVoi. Who in their right mind would start a major concrete job this close to freezing except these guys? I hope LaVoi sees the merit in letting professional contractors do their job and will end the “homeowner” contracting that has been going on at the courthouse and wasting taxpayer dollars all these years.

This project first hit the planning table over a decade ago and hopefully I will live to see them actually completed but at the rate this mismanaged project has been going I am growing more doubtful as each year passes. I noticed in tonight’s paper that they have attempted to lead the public to believe they actually have made money with all their lawsuits. They claimed that the county received $410,000 in an out of court settlement with the architect which was more than the original $340,000 contract. Excuse me if I am skeptical.

I can hardly wait for Mr. Lavoi to get sworn in and see if he can get a handle on this commission that has run amuck.

Hill County Democrats Crushed

It’s a great day in Havre Montana. Last night the local Republicans made history in an astronomical sweep of the Hill County races. Every single Republican listed on Hill County ballots from the PSC and Congress on down to the legislative seats outdistanced their opponents by landslide margins of historic proportions. What a victory for Hill County Republicans

New comer Rowlie Hutton slam dunked our infamous “former” speaker of the house Democrat Bob Bergren garnering over 58% of the vote in Senate District 17. Republican Kris Hansen pulverized Democrat Jack Tretheway to embarrassing proportions wuppin’ up the poor guy by margins exceeding 2 to 1  in HD 33. Warburton easily retained HD 34 over Dana Siedel in what the Democrats had been touting as their best chance for a “landslide victory”. I guess all that campaigning by the ponytail *******(Edited 3/8/11 for alleged slanderous references)  and the boycotts by former chair Friede really paid off as they kept the Siedel defeat to less than a 2 to 1 margin. Way to go Professor Bill

Even the county Democrats shining star commissioner candidate Jim Catt got slapped back down to size with Independent candidate Jeff LaVoi moving into the Democrat controlled courthouse by over 500 votes.  Even more amazing was that the Republican Psc candidate Kavulla killed his opponent in Hill County

Amazing – Simply amazing. I wonder how the partisan Havre Daily will put a spin on this story. I am sure it is all Obama’s fault and has nothing to do with the lack of effort by the local Democrats nor the fact that they just had plain poor candidates nor the fact that the Democrat campaign volunteers are the town idiots. Apparently Friede’s boycott and Professor Bill’s constant harassment of Warburton actually raised the vote count in the GOP column.

You Havre Republicans had better send a big THANKYOU to these numbskulls so they keep up the good work next election

We will bring you further information after we talk to the Party officials.

Halleluiah!

Senator Baucus Screws over Montana Legislative Candidates

All across Montana Democrat candidates for the legislature are either fighting to retain their seats or are seeking to replace Republicans in the legislature. Most are facing an uphill battle as the Democrats Obama connections are taking their toll. What usually helps in these uphill battle races is a little boost from the upper ranking Democrats like Senator Baucus and Tester. Both senators have made a couple of short stops in Billings and around the state but they seem to be more concerned with the battles in neighboring states. Tester has been hard at work campaigning in California, Nevada, Missouri and elsewhere but what really is a kick in the rear for the Democrats is Senior Senator Baucus’s abandoning the local candidates on the eve of the election to stump for his good pal fellow liberal Harry Reid of Nevada.

The Wall Street Journal reports that our good Senator Baucus has flown himself and thirty of his aides to Las Vegas Nevada to assist.

Reid supporters, including multiple labor unions and about 30 aides to Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, are canvassing neighborhoods, making sure likely voters get to precincts for early voting and organizing get-out-the-vote efforts to help Mr. Reid in his tight contest against Republican Sharron Angle.

Full WSJ article here

Aaron Flint from the Northern Ag network has a related article here

In addition to taking his influence and his staffers to Nevada to fight for his good old boy buddy Harry Reid Senator Baucus has given Reid $100,000 from his campaign war chest to assist with get out to vote efforts as reported by CQ politics.com

Maybe the good Senator has forgotten from which state he hails? It appears that Baucus has given the finger to his home state party partners in this year’s state legislative races. At least the Democrats don’t mind screwing their own over along with their Republican rivals. Local candidates Siedel, Bergren and Tretheway can at least blame Baucus for their losses tomorrow evening

Don’t forget to vote and I hope the Montana GOP doesn't forget to send Senator Baucus a Thankyou card for his help.

Additional Flint Report here

Hill County Democrats go All Out to show support for their Candidates

Finally the Hill County Democrats have begun to campaign for their candidates.

Anyone notice in the paper tonight that the local Democrats were advertising that they were having a “BIG” rally at town square to support their candidates? I popped into a business across the street so I could observe and what did I see? Ten yes count them, ten tired old Democrats bouncing around with candidate signs and waving at cars going by. Yes, party leaders Friede and Thackeray were bouncing along with the rest of them. Apparently they were trying to emulate all those Rallies the Republicans held at town Square all fall except they would have about 80 to 100 attend instead of the ten I witnessed tonight. I can hardly wait to see what the voters think of this and here I thought this town was a Democrat stronghold.



26 more hours and it will all be but a smudge mark on the history of the Democrats in Hill County.

Havre Daily Corrector - One Year and Counting

Our efforts at the Havre Daily Corrector have officially reached the one year old mark today. We kicked this blog off back on November 1 of 2009 with what could be called a spam solicitation to every e-mail address we could gather in the Havre area. We hope you have enjoyed the opportunity this blog has provided to comment on current issues. Our blog counter has had over 48,000 hits since that first invitation went out  back in November of 2009 and we hope to be able to double that number by next November. Thanks to all our readers and a special thanks to those that regularly participate and send us tips.

Here’s to a great second year!