Looking Towards 2016

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the upcoming Presidential election in 2016. While it is still early, potential candidates on both sides have announced their intentions. Other potential candidates are being coy about whether they will run for President. The Iowa Caucus is set for February 1, 2016, followed by the New Hampshire primary election on February 9, 2016.  Let’s take a look at who has thrown his or her hat in the ring while speculating on who has not.

Democrat Candidates

Formed an Exploratory Committee

Jim Webb – Former US Senator from Virginia and former Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan

Likely to Run

Hillary Clinton – Former First Lady, former US Senator from New York and former Secretary of State under President Obama

Possible Candidates

Joe Biden – US Vice President and former US Senator from Delaware

Jerry Brown – Governor of California

Andrew Cuomo – Governor of New York

Martin O’Malley – Former Governor of Maryland

Bernie Sanders – US Senator from Vermont

Note: Senator Sanders is an Independent but if he were to run for President he would run as a Democrat.

Mark Warner – US Senator from Virginia

Elizabeth Warren – US Senator from Massachusetts

Potential Vice Presidential Candidates

Julian Castro – Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas

Republican Candidates

Formed an Exploratory Committee

Jeb Bush – Former Governor of Florida

Lindsey Graham – US Senator from South Carolina

Marco Rubio – US Senator from Florida

Scott Walker – Governor of Wisconsin

Likely to Run

Ben Carson – Head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Chris Christie – Governor of New Jersey

Carly Fiorina – Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

Mike Huckabee – Former Governor of Arkansas

Rick Perry – Former Governor of Texas

Mitt Romney – Former Governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican nominee for President

Rick Santorum – Former US Senator from Pennsylvania

Possible Candidates

Ted Cruz – US Senator from Texas

Bobby Jindal – Governor of Louisiana

John Kasich – Governor of Ohio

Sarah Palin – Former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican nominee for Vice President

Rand Paul – US Senator from Kentucky

Donald Trump – Real estate magnate

Who do you like? Who do you dislike? Which candidates on both sides do you think will actually run? If Hillary Clinton does become the Democrat nominee who do you think would be able to beat her? Who on the Republican side should not run? Discuss your opinions and predictions here.

 

 

 

Why November Matters: Obamacare

In 2010, the Democrats passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) without a single Republican vote. Obamacare mandates that all Americans, except for members of Congress, buy health insurance or pay a fine to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). President Obama and Democrat members of Congress repeated the lie “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan” on multiple occasions in a pitch to promote this law during the 2012 Presidential election.

However, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) admitted that Democrats knew that millions of Americans would lose their health insurance as a result of this law. Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) also knew that Obamacare was sold on a lie and is appalled at President Obama for blatantly lying to Americans. Yet Gillibrand, Frank and their colleagues voted to impose Obamacare on us.  65 million Americans could lose their employer sponsored health insurance. The law also contains 21 tax increases, including 12 increases on middle class Americans. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirms that Obamacare is a $1 trillion tax hike that Americans cannot afford.

Obamacare is more unpopular than ever. The Democrats did not seem to receive that memo.

#Obamacare is working. pic.twitter.com/hzW5KVhkMF

— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) July 23, 2014

Forcing Americans to buy health insurance that they do not want or face the wrath of the IRS does not mean that Obamacare is working. Uninsuring the insured to insure the uninsured does not mean that Obamacare is working.

We have seen the effects of this disastrous law: large companies are cutting back on hiring more workers, employers are reducing hours employees may work, employers are sending their employees to the Obamacare exchanges rather than provide them health coverage, young Americans are not signing up for the exchanges and older and sicker Americans are experiencing soaring premiums as a result, people are losing their jobs, insurance premiums are increasing across the board, etc. If this were not bad enough, Americans’ private health and financial records are becoming part of a national database. There is even hidden code in the healthcare.gov site stating that applicants have “no reasonable expectation of privacy.” Make no mistake: Obamacare is not about health care. It is about government expansion and control of its citizens, bringing us one step closer to the fundamental transformation of America. As the communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin said, “Medical care is the keystone in the arch of socialism.” After being instituted, no country has ever reverted from a government-run healthcare system back to a free market healthcare system. The goal of Obamacare is to take away our freedom and give it to the all powerful in Washington, DC.

We have Obamacare because in 2009 Democrats controlled the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate.  Democrats passed Obamacare even though they knew that if we liked our health care plans we could not keep our health care plans. Many conservatives have legitimate issues with Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). However, McConnell presided over a Senate minority in which every single Republican Senator voted against Obamacare. Obamacare passed because voters stayed home on election day. It is imperative that we rid Democrats of control of the Senate this November. If we let Democrats win just to teach Republicans with whom we are dissatisfied a lesson, then what we are effectively doing is sending the message that voters like Democrats and therefore Republicans need to be more moderate, pushing our country further to the left. Beating those who are fundamentally transforming America is all that matters. Democrats and only Democrats brought us Obamacare. Remember that this November.

 

Never Forget

Thirteen years ago everything changed. May we never forget about those who lost their lives. May we never forget those who helped people get to safety. May we never forget our service men and women who fight every day to protect our freedoms. May we never forget everyone affected by the terrorist attacks that happened that fateful day. May we never forget that we are Americans.

May we never forget the four Americans who lost their lives on this day in 2012 in Benghazi, Libya.

I leave you with this poem that was published on September 23, 2001.

When Needed, Old Glory is Still There by Mitch Albom

That our flag was still there through the gloom and despair hanging on porches, flapping in schoolyards painted on cheeks of young mothers whose husbands are leaving to face the rockets’ red glare, bombs bursting in air and our flag is still there.

Through weeks of despair that flag was still there. When death came on silver wings towers in ruins, bodies in flames, when up from the ashes a dark smoke arose and lingering there, like a child unaware, waiting till mother or father came home but they are never coming home. Hearts everywhere, offered a prayer, and in the midst of that gray rubble square a flag was still there.

Did you even know two weeks ago where your stars were buried? Where your stripes were stowed? Behind boxes and crates? Behind mowers and rakes? So taken for granted this symbol of freedom, tucked behind charcoal and snow boots and rusty old bicycles, but . . . when the call came to show that we care we all did the same our flags were right there.

It has not always been the most respected cloth: Burned in protest mocked and ignored. But when, as a nation the time comes to mourn at half-staff it flies from morning till dawn. And when we are stirred as a people of might it soars high on ships. It says “We are right in this fight, we are right.” It pulls out of port It augurs “Beware” The flag that’s still there.

Those broad stripes and bright stars are now hanging in bars and diners and Kmarts and windows of cars. We’ve even heard stories of seeing Old Glory tattooed on arms, or stitched through the night then purchased on sight. When this war began the first thing we ran out of, in fact, the only thing that this great nation ran short of was flags. Flags everywhere. And the flag is still there.

Oceans of banners now, armies of flags, sea to shining sea’s worth of flags. We wave them at baseball games, during the “stretch,” we wave them at cameras, at airports, at friends. Never before have we seen such array the country bedecked in a single display. It’s like one shirt, one blouse, one pair of shoes red, white and blues. It’s all that you wear the flag, that’s still there.

I never did feel the strength of those words that Mr. Key wrote often sung but not heard “Gave proof through the night” that she was still there what a wonderful, comforting image we share. We cherish it now, it shows that we care that our hearts will repair. And through this despair this much we can swear we bend but don’t break we are united, these states, Look outside — a new dawn’s early light And our flag is still there.

God bless America.

Debate: What Should Be Done About ISIS?

The terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has been in the news lately for its brutal pursuits towards establishing its goal of a caliphate (a single Islamic state based on sharia law) in Iraq and Syria. ISIS claims religious authority over all Muslims across the globe, and therefore seeks to bring Muslim regions under its direct political control. ISIS has made advances in its goal of controlling Iraq, and in June 2014 it seized control of Mosul and Tikrit.

On June 29, 2014, the leader of ISIS and its self-proclaimed caliph,  Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared the establishment of a new caliphate. In July 2014, Al-Baghdadi urged Muslims to unite and capture Rome in order to own the world. On August 4, 2014, ISIS came to the town of Sinjar, forcing its Yazidi population to flee into the mountains for fear the they would be killed. That week, ISIS soldiers kidnapped 400 Yazidi women to sell as sex slaves. On August 7, 2014, ISIS took control of Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town in Iraq, warning Christians to leave, convert to Islam or die. When ISIS took over Mosul, it bombed Christian churches in that city, confiscated Christians’ property and crucified Christians who refused to cede to ISIS’ demands. ISIS is slaughtering Christians and beheading children in its effort to extinguish Christians from Iraq. ISIS’ takeover of Iraq has forced over 1 million people to flee their homes.

ISIS has distributed brochures to Muslims residing in Great Britain, urging them to join ISIS. ISIS has made propaganda videos set to music, which include images of severed heads, crucified Syrian soldiers and mass executions. ISIS also has a gift shop, selling T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with the ISIS emblem.  If that weren’t enough, ISIS soldiers and sympathizers have taken to social media to post direct threats to the United States and its citizens.

Even a New Jersey resident has flown the ISIS flag outside of his home there.

In response to an emboldened ISIS, President Obama authorized limited, targeted airstrikes in Iraq against ISIS, as well as humanitarian airdrops to Iraqi refugees. However, this has not been enough. Why has the United States not used all of its might to destroy ISIS? How should the United States handle this growing threat? What should be done about the terrorists who are posting direct threats to the United States on Twitter? How should we protect the Christians and Yazidis from these terrorists? What should be done about ISIS?

 

Inside President Obama’s Border Funding Request

On Tuesday, July 8, the White House asked Congress for $3.7 billion in supplemental funding to address the “humanitarian crisis” of unaccompanied illegal alien children and adults entering the United States through our Southern border.

By the way, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has already received $865 million to already care for unaccompanied minors. Here is how this extra taxpayer funded money would be spent:

* $1.8 billion is for HHS for resettlement costs for both minors and entire family units. These funds include authorization for more permanent housing as these illegal aliens await deportation proceedings.

* $109 million to facilitate anti-smuggling investigations.

* $15 million for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to hire attorneys to defend unaccompanied minors against deportation proceedings before an immigration judge.

* $1.1 million for the DOJ to provide attorneys to assist illegal alien adults in their deportation proceedings.

* $116 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the transportation of unaccompanied minors.

* A clause that allows for 30% of the taxpayer funded money to be moved around and used wherever the administration wishes. That’s $1.1 billion, folks.

Most of the enforcement provision of this money is not geared towards removal of illegal aliens. Rather, it is a recouping of costs towards detention and transportation of illegal aliens, including adults, to facilitate their resettlement.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced these new legal resources for illegal alien children by stating that, with these resources, the DOJ could “better serve vulnerable populations such as children and improve court efficiency through pilot efforts aimed at improving legal representation.” Apparently Holder missed the class in law school that taught the Immigration and Nationality Act. If he had been present, he would have learned that Section 292 of that Act prohibits legal representation of aliens in immigration proceedings at the government’s expense. In fact, HR 4936, sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), would, if passed, amend Section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General to appoint counsel for unaccompanied illegal alien minors.

According to HHS, most of the unaccompanied minors are over 14 years old and 3/4 of them are males. 85% of these minors are reunited with their (illegal alien) families. HHS states that it assumes the responsibility of ensuring access to legal counsel for all unaccompanied illegal alien minors. Once again, I will revert to the preceding paragraph.

While we’re at it, illegal aliens are not refugees. But, don’t take my word for it.

In essence, this extra money that the White House wants will go towards embedding the newly arrived illegal aliens into the already overburdened United States social welfare system. What Congress fails to realize is that you do not subsidize a problem you are trying to eliminate. Instead, you defund that problem and you implement enforcement to stop the problem while closing all loopholes to avoid evasion. You secure the borders to prevent unlawful entry and reentry. You implement requirements whereby people must show proof of citizenship or lawful visa status so that it would be impossible to work, travel or live here without such identification requirements. You end all taxpayer funded benefits for illegal aliens: no more food stamps, health care, welfare, disability payments, drivers licenses, apartment leases or bank accounts. American taxpayers should not be responsible for underwriting the cost of resettling people who should not even be here in the first place.

Apparently our veterans dying and living on the streets is not a humanitarian crisis in the eyes of this administration, but that is for another article. Instead, I leave you with this.

Where would you rather the government spend your money?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Debate: VA Scandal

Recently it has come to our country’s attention that Veterans’ Affairs (VA) officials have falsified data to hide how long veterans were waiting to see physicians at VA hospitals. President Obama has called the situation “intolerable” and “disgraceful.” Former Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney has called the situation “inexcusable.” This situation has led both Democrats and Republicans to call for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

Dozens of patients at the VA Hospital in Phoenix have died while awaiting medical care. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, stated that investigators have evidence that the Phoenix VA Health Care System keeps two sets of records to conceal prolonged waiting times for appointments. The damning VA Inspector General report showed widespread misconduct and ridiculously long wait times at hospitals for veterans.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC that the VA provides excellent care and that there are long wait times for patients to see their physicians across the United States, not just at the VA.

What do you think should be done about this reprehensible treatment of our veterans? Should Secretary Shinseki be fired? Do you think this administration will hold anyone accountable for this activity? Do you think Democrats are concerned about our veterans, or do you think that they are jumping on the “Fire Shinseki” bandwagon because they face difficult elections in November? Why do you think this has happened?

Upcoming Primary: California Governor Tuesday, June 3

On Tuesday, June 3, 2014, Californians will be voting in several primary elections for both statewide offices and for Congress. We will focus on the Governor primary.  Governor Jerry Brown is seeking reelection this year.

 

Here is a list of Republicans running for this seat, along with their respective websites:

Richard Aguirre http://www.aguirreforgovernor.com/

Andrew Blount http://www.andrewblount.com/

Glenn Champ http://www.champforgovernor.com/

Tim Donnelly http://www.electtimdonnelly.com/splash?splash=1

Neel Kashkari http://vote.neelkashkari.com/

Alma Marie Winston http://www.winston4gov.com/

The Democrat running for this seat is:

Akinyemi Agbede http://www.thenextgovernorofcalifornia2014.com/

The Green Party candidate running for this seat is:

Luis Rodriguez https://www.facebook.com/rodriguezforgovernor

The Peace and Freedom Party candidate running for this seat is:

Cindy Sheehan (yes, that Cindy Sheehan) http://www.cindy2014.org/

Governor Brown is seeking a fourth term this November. He had been Governor for two consecutive terms from 1975-1983. He was reelected for a third term in 2011. On the Republican side, Tea Party favorite Tim Donnelly, Assemblyman from Twin Peaks in San Bernardino County, is in the lead. California is now using a “Top Two” primary system, in which the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

Donnelly is an interesting frontrunner in a state where most Republicans are socially moderate and fiscally conservative. Donnelly is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, wants to cut taxes and spending, wants to end Obamacare and wants to stop Governor Brown’s prison realignment program, which sends state prisoners to county jails. In 2006, Donnelly made a speech where he likened taking steps against illegal immigration to warfare. Donnelly also founded the Minuteman Party in California.

Donnelly faces an uphill battle since Democrats in California hold a 15-point voter registration edge. In addition, nearly 60% of California voters approve of Governor Brown’s job performance. How does Brown have such a high approval rating? In 2012, Brown signed a budget that made cuts to social services. In November of that year, voters approved Proposition 30, which raised the personal income tax rate over seven years for residents making over $250,000 and increased the sales tax by 0.25% over four years. This decreased California’s budget deficit, however Brown has stated that California is running a budget surplus. http://spectator.org/articles/59399/jerry-brown%E2%80%99s-magical-mystery-surplus Reducing the deficit is always admirable, but California still owes $340 billion in debts.

Why else would Brown have such a commanding lead in this race? California has the highest poverty rate in the United States at 22%. Over 8 million people residing in the Golden State and one quarter of its children are living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate in California is 8.7%, making it the fifth highest in the country. One third of all welfare recipients living in the United States reside in California. http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21590933-americas-biggest-state-has-americas-biggest-poverty-problem-not-so-golden Three California cities, Stockton, Vallejo and San Bernardino, have declared bankruptcy. California also has some of the highest taxes for its residents, including a 13% top marginal tax rate on income. Housing prices are out of control, making the cost of living in this state unbearable.

California has a plethora of sanctuary cities, which are cities that do not allow municipal funds or resources to be used to enforce federal immigration laws. Last year, California essentially became a sanctuary state. Governor Brown signed the Trust Act into law. The Trust Act bans state authorities from transferring illegal aliens who have been arrested to federal law enforcement authorities if those immigrants have not committed “serious crimes.” Brown also signed AB 1236 into law, which bans employers from using E-Verify to check workers’ immigration status. This bill also prevents any counties from passing legislation to implement E-Verify. Finally, illegal aliens may also obtain drivers licenses and practice law in California. Do relaxed immigration laws correlate with a high approval rating for a Democratic Governor? Perhaps this is why Democrats are so hot to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the November general elections.

Fun fact about Governor Brown: He and singer Linda Ronstadt were an item during his first two terms.

Californians, please remember to vote in this primary election on Tuesday, June 3, 2014!

 

Wednesday Debate: Where do we go from here?

Last night, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell defeated his Tea Party backed primary election opponent, Matt Bevin. Senator McConnell led Bevin 60 percent to 30 percent. McConnell will now face his Democrat opponent Kentucky Secretary of State, Alison Lundergan Grimes, in the general election in November. In his victory speech, Senator McConnell linked Grimes to President Obama and to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In contrast, Grimes accused McConnell of causing gridlock in Washington. Conservatives are understandably upset about McConnell’s primary victory. Many were banking on Matt Bevin becoming the next Senator Ted Cruz and hoping for a fundamental change in the composition of the Republican party. Now that McConnell has won his primary election, will you vote for him and/or support him in his fight against Alison Grimes? Why or why not?

I have heard numerous conservatives say that they will vote for and support Grimes over McConnell to send a message to the Republican establishment. They argue that supporting the Democrat opponent will force Republicans like McConnell to move further to the right. Do you think its really worth supporting a Democrat? If so, for what reasons would you support a Democrat candidate over the Republican candidate in the general election?

Upcoming Primary: Georgia US Senate Tuesday, May 20

On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Georgians will be voting in several primary elections, including those for Congress. We will focus on the US Senate primary.  Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is not seeking reelection this year.

Here is a list of Republicans running for this seat, along with their respective websites:

Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. http://www.paulbroun.com/

Art Gardner http://www.gardnersenate.com/

Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D. http://gingrey.com/bio/

Derrick Grayson http://www.grayson2014.com/

Karen Handel http://www.karenhandel.com/

Congressman Jack Kingston http://vote.jackkingston.org/

David Perdue https://perduesenate.com/

Here is a list of Democrats running for this seat, along with their respective websites:

Michelle Nunn http://www.michellenunn.com/

Branko Radulovacki, M.D. http://drradforsenate.com/

Todd Robinson http://www.todd4ussenate.org/

The Libertarian running for this seat is:

Amanda Swafford http://www.amandaswafford.net/

In this crowded Republican race for Senator Chambliss’ seat, 3 candidates have risen to the top: Former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, Congressman Jack Kingston and businessman David Perdue. Neither candidate is expected to clear the 50 percent threshold necessary to move on to the general election in November, thus leading to a runoff. The top 2 candidates will most likely have another 9 weeks to compete against one another. It is crucial that Republicans hold on to Georgia if they want to take over the Senate.

Handel and Kingston are both attacking Perdue over the time he has spent abroad and over his business career. Perdue has criticized Handel for not having a college degree.  The attacks that are likely to continue for another 9 weeks are feeding the Democrats information that they will most likely use against the Republican frontrunner in the general election.

What’s the real danger in extending the primary another 9 weeks if no clear winner is determined tomorrow? A quiet victory for Michelle Nunn, the presumed frontrunner on the Democratic side of the primary. While Republicans continue to fight with each other, Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn, will have 9 extra weeks without GOP opposition to fundraise and to campaign.

Perdue is the only GOP candidate leading Michelle Nunn by an average of 3 points. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2014/senate/georgia_senate_race.html Shouldn’t the Republicans unite so that they can hold onto this seat rather than fight with each other for another 9 weeks? How do you think this election will turn out?

Georgians, please remember to vote in this primary on Tuesday, May 20, 2014!

 

Candidate Spotlight: Phillip Parrish for US Senate

I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Phillip Parrish, a Republican candidate for US Senate in Minnesota.  Below please find the questions I asked Mr. Parrish followed by his responses, as well as links to where you can connect with Mr. Parrish on social media.

Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in a rural community of humble means. I became a teacher and then principal. I joined the Navy Reserve and was later commissioned as a U.S. Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer. I am married with seven children between the two of us (two adopted). I love family, the outdoors, God, my savior Jesus and our Country. I am a musician and composer and love building things.

Why do you want to be a United States Senator? Why did you decide to run for Senate this year?

As I have stated in several publications and countless conversations, the events of September 11, 2012 and other numerous events leading up to that day ignited a fire in my heart and I knew I had to do something, anything to attempt in every legal, moral and ethical way to confront and hold accountable those who are violating our constitution, liberties and God given freedoms. I have every respect for other candidates and their willingness to serve, but I say with a humble heart that due to my education and career, especially my time spent as a principal, farmer, enlisted military member and U.S. Navy Officer I have the experience, knowledge and willingness to serve as our U.S. Senator with a level of skill and integrity that reflects the true intent of what the office is meant to be.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing your constituents?

The assault on our Constitution, lawless current administration and over reach of the federal government.

What is your plan to increase job opportunities for Americans?

I would encourage investment. The United States, at present, has the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world—a deplorable fact that discourages both U.S. firms and global venture capitalists from investing in American job creation. I support lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to the global average rate of 25 percent as the first step to restoring America’s competitive advantage in the 21st Century. Since Minnesota ranks among the highest in state corporate tax rates, I believe reducing the federal corporate tax rate and making the rate permanent will increase certainty for Minnesota businesses, maximize business retention and trigger a wave of international investment in the manufacturing clusters of the Twin Cities, Duluth and St. Cloud metro areas. Nationally, reducing the corporate tax rate to 25 percent will translate into 5.3 million private-sector jobs over 10 years. Please refer to https://phillipcparrish.com/policy-points/#encourage

What, if anything, is your plan to replace the Affordable Care Act? What, if anything, do you find positive about the ACA as it stands now?

I recognize that free market solutions can avert the coming crises. By strengthening health savings accounts, increasing portability, enacting meaningful medical malpractice reform and allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines, Congressional lawmakers can provide a new lease on life to American medicine. By mending our broken immigration system, Congress can save hospitals and taxpayers billions. I stand for replacing Obamacare with common sense, free market solutions and I advocate creating a fund to provide catastrophic care to those in financial distress. Please refer to https://phillipcparrish.com/issues/#repeal

There is nothing positive about the ACA.

Why should people vote for you over Al Franken?

I have the experience, knowledge and willingness to serve as our U.S. Senator with a level of skill and integrity that reflects the true intent of what the office is meant to be. Al Franken has committed treason, espionage, and subversive acts against the United Sates as he is complicit in the fraud committed in ACA, Fast and Furious, Benghazi and IRS actions, along with countless other lawless acts of the current administration.

Do you consider yourself a constitutional conservative or more of a moderate?

I am a constitutional conservative.

What would you like your voters to know about you?

I have the deepest respect for them. True heroes in our country are the American people who wake up every day living and breathing the American dream – standing for freedom, liberty and the Constitution. I want them to know that I will literally sacrifice my life for them, our country and the Constitution.

What do you think about the latest developments related to the Benghazi scandal? How do you think we can make sure this sort of incident never occurs again?

Benghazi is a direct result of the ill intentions of the current administration and State Department. The current investigation lead by Trey Gowdy is imperative. It must expose the ideology of current administration and State Department–an ideology routed in a willingness to believe that by coddling people who state repeatedly that they want to destroy us can be changed or they are simply misunderstood. We must expose the truth about Islam – Sharia is not a religion as we understand the word – it is a form of government. The false narrative exploiting “religious freedom” was and is a premeditated information warfare campaign intended to exploit the very nature and character of Christians and our Constitution. To support Islam, those who follow Sharia have to support the institution of another form of government which is in direct conflict with our Constitution, liberties, and God given freedom. To support Islam, those who follow Sharia have to commit treason, espionage and subversive acts against America. We as Americans and those of us who have taken an oath of office should not hesitate to use every legal means to convict all who have and do participate in the support of Islam and Sharia. We must do a better job of articulating to the public how Sharia–a political governance movement–exploits, manipulates, and coerces to deceive and cause harm.

Do you support the formation of the Benghazi Select Committee?

Yes!

What are your thoughts on the IRS targeting of conservative groups? How do you think Congress should hold those responsible for this targeting accountable?

The IRS targeting of conservative groups was a premeditated and orchestrated initiative by the current administration. It is not conspiracy; we must help others see that it really has been going on. Too many people do not want to believe that things have regressed that far; therefore, they don’t believe it is true. We must adopt the Fair Tax legislation and abolish the IRS. We must act now to enact congressional term limits to accomplish this change.

Do you think our immigration system needs to be reformed or do you think the reform should consist of enforcing our current immigration laws? How would you propose that we reform our immigration system?

Congress has failed in its responsibility to secure our borders.  I oppose blanket amnesty for those in America illegally.  I believe that enforcing current laws and cutting federal funding to “sanctuary cities” are the first two steps Congress should take in the quest to mend our broken immigration system.

The United States is a republic of laws.  Our republic has always embraced immigrants; and, italways will!  But, at present, our immigration system is in shambles, and the rule of law that maintains our liberties and preserves our God-given rights is under assault.

As an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I recognize that maintaining a vigilant posture in the post-9/11 era is critical to safeguarding this Republic.   Modernizing our border security efforts to include a biometric-check system and 24-hour drone surveillance remains the best deterrence for the infiltration activities of terrorist groups like Hezbollah, whose operatives have crossed the Atlantic to collude with drug Cartels in Mexico.

As a lawmaker on Capitol Hill, I will work tirelessly to ensure that adequate appropriations for drone maintenance and equipment upgrades for those standing guard remain a priority. Achieving and maintaining complete control and situational awareness of the southern border is the best way to stem the tide of illegal immigration that is costing U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars in welfare and healthcare subsidies.

I oppose providing federal benefits to those here illegally and I support the expedited deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records.  I support 10th Amendment protected local solutions to illegal immigration and I believe English should be America’s official language.

As an advocate for improving the potential for high-paying jobs in Minnesota, I recognize that Congress should concentrate on expanding the annual outlay of H-1B Visas from 65,000 to 130,000 in an effort to attract the best and brightest of the world’s high-skilled labor to energize America’s economic outlook. Please refer to https://phillipcparrish.com/issues/

How can people best help your campaign?

Go to the website and get involved. https://phillipcparrish.com/

Connect with Phillip Parrish

Twitter: https://twitter.com/phillipcparrish

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhillipCParrishforUSSenateMinnesota2014

Campaign Website: https://phillipcparrish.com/

Minnesotans, please remember to vote in this primary election on August 12, 2014!