Pullen for the Party

McCain Town Hall In Sun City on YouTube

Click on the video below to watch the Healthcare Town Hall in Sun City.

SENIORS’ HEALTH CARE BILL OF RIGHTS

America’s senior citizens deserve access to quality health care and coverage that will not bankrupt them. Republicans believe that reforms to America’s health care system are necessary, but that reform should first do no harm, especially to our seniors.

That’s why Republicans are calling for a Seniors’ Health Care Bill Of Rights that will:

• PROTECT MEDICARE AND NOT CUT IT IN THE NAME OF HEALTH CARE REFORM: President Obama and Congressional Democrats are promoting a government-run health care experiment that will cut over $500 billion from Medicare to be used to pay for their plan. Medicare should not be raided to pay for another entitlement.

• PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT FROM GETTING BETWEEN SENIORS AND THEIR DOCTORS: The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment will give patients less power to control their own medical decisions, and create government boards that would decide what treatments would or wouldn’t be funded. Republicans believe in patient-centered reforms that put the priorities of seniors before government.

• PROHIBIT EFFORTS TO RATION HEALTH CARE BASED ON AGE: The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment would set up a “comparative effectiveness research commission” where health care treatment decisions could be limited based on a patient’s age. Republicans believe that health care decisions are best left up to seniors and their doctors.

• PREVENT GOVERNMENT FROM INTERFERING WITH END-OF-LIFE CARE DISCUSSIONS: The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment would have seniors meet with a doctor to discuss end-of-life care that could mean limiting treatment. Republicans believe that government should not interfere with end-of-life care discussions between a patient and a doctor.

• ENSURE SENIORS CAN KEEP THEIR CURRENT COVERAGE: As Democrats continue to propose steep cuts to Medicare in order to pay for their government-run health care experiment, these cuts threaten millions of seniors with being forced from their current Medicare Advantage plans. Republicans believe that seniors should not be targeted by a government-run health care bill and forced out of their current Medicare coverage.

• PROTECT VETERANS BY PRESERVING TRICARE AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES: Democrats recently proposed raising veterans’ costs for the Tricare For Life program that many veterans rely on for treatment. Republicans oppose increasing the burden on our veterans and believe America should honor our promises to them.

The latest comentary from Arizona's Republican National Committeeman

Download BashObama0809v90 

HIDE & SEEK HARRY

Evidently the so-called congressional "district work period" has confused Mr. Mitchell.  Although the merits of a trip to Israel cannot be debated, the timing of the trip certainly speaks to his priorities. Worse yet, it may indicate that he has already been told how he will vote by Nancy Pelosi.

While I am relieved that Congressman Mitchell is safe back in Arizona, we need to find out where he stands on the issue of healthcare reform.  With the Congressman on a different part of the planet, I’m concerned that he may have missed how his constituents feel about a system of government-run healthcare.

Regrettably, Congressman Mitchell has provided exactly what we expected him to provide for his constituents. Nothing. No leadership, no results, no accountability. Zip, zero, nada.

During one of the most important debates our country has had in recent memory, Representative Mitchell has hidden in plain sight.

We all know that it is hot in Phoenix during the summer, but hiding from your constituents really makes their blood boil and I think I’ve been to his office in Scottsdale more often than he has over the summer.

The good news is, he is hosting a "Tele Town-Hall" tonight. Probably as far away from his district as he can get. Once again, it seems that Harry is just phoning it in.

If you are interested, you can sign up for this event by going to www.azgop.org.

Robert Novak Passes

I am deeply saddened by the loss of conservative columnist Bob Novak today. He articulated the conservative message for nearly half-a-century and the American people owe him a debt of gratitude for his journalistic service.

Mr. Novak provided unique and insightful views of current events and the political landscape. His appearances on television shows such as Crossfire, the Capital Gang and many others allowed for a differing perspective on politics and government. The loss of Bob Novak leaves a void that cannot be filled on the opinion pages of the nation's newspapers and Sunday morning talk shows.

PULLEN: OBSTRUCTIONIST DEMS PLACE POLITICAL GAIN AGAIN AHEAD OF ARIZONA’S INTERESTS

As Arizona’s budget negotiations drag on, I recently called upon Democrat state legislators to lay aside partisan politics and allow Arizona’s voters the unique opportunity to decide how the state government taxes and spends their hard-earned tax dollars.

Supporting targeted, pro-growth strategies which broadening the tax base and attract businesses to Arizona seems like a win-win approach in dealing with our fiscal nightmare. 

Quite honestly, I’m surprised Democrat state Legislators are not supportive of Governor Brewer’s proposal to refer a temporary 1 cent sales tax increase to the ballot

The temporary sales tax dedicated to education and public safety would help bridge the gap and protect Arizona’s families over the short term. For Democrats to stand in opposition to such a measure is truly mind boggling.

Just yesterday the Wall Street Journal editorialized their support of Governor Brewer’s budget that cuts personal and business taxes, while placing a referendum on taxation in front of voters

The Governor has said all along that a sales tax increase was an absolute last resort and this referral gives the citizens of Arizona more power and control over their state government

Long-range revenue projections still indicate a growing budget deficit for years to come, and this year’s budget takes a step towards returning our state to prosperity.

Governor Brewer and Republican legislators know that to help strengthen our economy we must create and attract new jobs and have a budget that includes relief for taxpayers and business owners - a fact that seems lost on Democrats.

It is pretty simple. Families throughout Arizona benefit from a strong economy and good jobs and these steps get us closer to economic stability and growth. Democrats should focus on doing what is right for their constituencies rather than making some sort of political point.

HOPE? NOPE.

Broken promises, rampant government spending, and Chicago-style politics have marred the first 200 days of the Obama Presidency according to Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen. After examining the achievements of President Obama’s first six months in office, Chairman Pullen has concluded that the soaring rhetoric didn’t produce the results Americans so sorely need during this time of economic turmoil.

As unemployment continues to rise and the President’s approval ratings decline, many are taking inventory of the progress made by the Obama Administration and have been disappointed with results. Nationwide polling from respected organizations like the Wall Street Journal, Gallup and CNN have shown President Obama’s polling numbers deteriorate the more Americans learn about him and his political agenda.

“President Obama campaigned on a platform of hope for a better tomorrow,” said Chairman Pullen. “If government spending was the answer to the problems Americans are experiencing right now he certainly has made his best effort to solve the crisis. But we know that burdening future generations with debt is as wrong as it is ineffective in dealing with the today’s economy. But the President seems to think otherwise.”

“During the Democrat President’s first 200 days, he has seemingly made it his mission to spend us into oblivion and Americans are beginning to see the President for what he is. Another big-government, big-spending liberal who thinks that all of our problems can be solved with government intervention,” the Chairman said.

“The President and his administration even found time to bully the state of Arizona and try to intimidate our Senators Kyl and McCain by threatening to withhold stimulus dollars,” the Chairman continued. “That type politics may work for Chicago community organizers, but it is offensive from the President of the United States.”

“I do have to say that President Obama was successful in one thing, motivating our grassroots and improving Republican fundraising,” said Pullen. “People are rightfully concerned with the spending spree that our Democrat President is leading us on. Many feel that under the President’s leadership our country is gotten seriously off track and they need to do something about it. Whether that be taking part in grassroots activism or contributing to our efforts to fight against a plan to institute a government-run healthcare system.”

“So far Democrats have shown that they are part of the problem not the solution. The Republican Party will capitalize on that reality and show that the Party of ideas is alive and well in Arizona, and around the country,” the Chairman concluded.