GOA on the U. S. House of Representatives

[Brick]

These are the results from GOA research in Pennsylvania's Congressional races. I don't care who you favor for President, but when it comes to the House of Representatives PLEASE VOTE LIKE A GUN OWNER AND SUPPORT THE PRO-GUN CANDIDATE! In other words get or keep the people with A ratings in and the ones with C, D or F ratings out!


PENNSYLVANIA CANDIDATES

HOUSE
DISTRICT NAME PARTY RATING
01 BRADY D F--
01 MUHAMMAD R NR
02 FATTAH D F--
02 LANG R NR
03 ENGLISH R A
03 DAHLKEMPER D NR
04 ALTMIRE D A--
04 HART R A
05 MCCRACKEN D D--
05 THOMPSON R A
05 FRYMAN L A--
06 GERLACH R A--
06 ROGGIO D F
07 SESTAK D F--
07 WILLIAMS R NR
08 MURPHY D F--
08 MANION R NR
08 LINGENFELTER I NR
09 SHUSTER R A--
09 BARR D F
10 CARNEY D C--
10 HACKETT R A
11 KANJORSKI D D
11 BARLETTA R A
12 MURTHA D F
12 RUSSELL R A
13 SCHWARTZ D F--
13 KATS R NR
13 MCDERMOTT C A
14 DOYLE D F
15 DENT R A
15 BENNETT D NR
16 PITTS R A--
16 SLATER D F
16 FRANK C A
17 HOLDEN D D
17 GILHOOLEY R B
18 MURPHY R A
18 O'DONNELL D NR
19 PLATTS R A
19 AVILLO D NR

[Mensur]

I'd be interested to know more about why Slater is on the F list. He describes himself on his website as:

Supporting the Second Amendment while enforcing the gun laws we have

Are the facts listed behind this rather than just a "believe us, so-and-so is a bad guy"?

I guess I'm a little disenchanted with the NRA. While they of course do some very good things in protecting our gun rights they seem to me to be a tool of the republican party while not financially pro-gun democrats the way they do republicans.

I don't mean to start a flame war here, I just want to make an informed decision.

[fingers80002]

I'd be interested to know more about why Slater is on the F list. He describes himself on his website as:



Are the facts listed behind this rather than just a "believe us, so-and-so is a bad guy"?

I guess I'm a little disenchanted with the NRA. While they of course do some very good things in protecting our gun rights they seem to me to be a tool of the republican party while not financially pro-gun democrats the way they do republicans.

I don't mean to start a flame war here, I just want to make an informed decision.

the Dem. Pres . candidate has the same thing on his site.

[pacodelahoya]

How can you support the 2A and the gun laws we have? Unless it's laws about where it's ok to discharge them, they are unconstitutional.

If a felon is so dangerous, that he can't be trusted with a gun(or gasoline, or diesel fuel and fertilizer, or a brick, or a pointy stick...ok you get it) then he should be in jail, not out wandering around with the rest of the us.

As for background checks, machine gun registration (ban), they are all clearly unconstitutional.

Anyone that says they support both, is either a liar, or grossly misinformed.

[PAhunter]

I'd be interested to know more about why Slater is on the F list. He describes himself on his website as:

"Supporting the Second Amendment while enforcing the gun laws we have."

the Dem. Pres . candidate has the same thing on his site.

Here is the entire email from GOA. It may help explain.

Jack

Gun Owners of America Releases Congressional Voter Guide
-- Elections will produce tremendous impact on gun owners' rights

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org


Wednesday, October 8, 2008

With the election less than one month away, Gun Owners of America is
doing its best to keep gun owners informed about who is protecting your
rights in the Congress.

Many gun owners are familiar with the differences between the candidates
at the presidential level, but how well do they know the views and actions
of those who are running at the congressional level?

On the campaign trail, almost no candidates for Congress admit to being
against gun rights, making the tasks of compiling the Gun Owners of
America congressional candidate rating both more difficult, and more
important.

GOA determines grades for candidates first based on any past voting
record. Then, all candidates receive a detailed questionnaire. But what
about those with no record and who were not open enough to return a
questionnaire that would reveal their true colors?

In past elections such candidates could be assigned grades by simply
going to a campaign website. Learning what a candidate thought about
issues like banning "assault weapons" and waiting periods for handgun
purchases was lurking behind a button labeled "gun control."

Not any more. For one thing, it's virtually impossible to find a link that
says "gun control" on any campaign website. If a candidate mentions gun
rights at all (and most don't) it is usually in the context of "protecting
Second Amendment rights."

A reader will find comments such as this one, referring to the recent
Supreme Court decision striking down the gun ban in the nation's capital:

"I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation last week that an
absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second
Amendment right for citizens to bear arms."

That may sound good at first blush, but a careful reading will reveal
that this statement -- made by a former mayor who had considered
joining other cities in suing gun makers out of existence in 1999 -- is
almost meaningless.

Facing this kind of doublespeak, it is especially important that voters
take advantage of tools like the 2008 Gun Owners of America voter
guide.

The stakes are high in this election, as they always are. The main
focus is on the presidential race. If elected, Barak Obama would be the
most anti-gun president this country has ever seen, and his
vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden is just as bad. John McCain has
been all over the map on the gun issue, but he did choose a stellar
pro-gun running mate in Sarah Palin.

While the White House may be up for grabs, liberal Democrats are in
firm control of both chambers of Congress. With all the media
attention on the race at the top of the ticket, it is important to
remember that it is in the Congress where most of the battles over
gun rights occur.

GOA's Voter Guide will soon be landing in mailboxes around the
nation. But you can also view an online version of this guide at:

http://www.gunowners.org/votetb08.htm

GOA hopes you will make use of this valuable tool and share it with
your family and friends. Please distribute this e-mail far and wide.
Thank you!

[Mensur]

This is all well and good but I'm inclined to discount all of their information unless they cite sources.

[adymond]

This is all well and good but I'm inclined to discount all of their information unless they cite sources.

I am equally inclined to disbelieve anyone who says they support the 2A on a campaign website without providing me with a list of votes one way or another.

[NineseveN]

If you use the internet and can type in the Google search bar, then there is no excuse not to have the answers to your concerns about the GOA (or any other) list already answered.

Google search: 16 SLATER Pennsylvania House - 2nd Link:

Candidate Questionnaire: Bruce A. Slater, Pennsylvania’s 16th U.S. Congressional District District (Democrat)
Tue, 07/29/2008 - 02:27 — TakeAction

[The Philly ADA is now considering endorsements for the fall election.]

Name: Bruce A. Slater
Office Sought: Representative, Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

1. Why are you running for office?

I seek to represent my neighbors and others from this District in reaching solutions to issues facing us here in the 16th Congressional District. I believe input into problem-solving must come from those affected locally rather than from others outside the district whose only tie to our congressman is through lobbyists and/or campaign contributions. These issues include the war in Iraq, healthcare reform, supporting local businesses, alternative energy and more. Our current Congressman is influenced by interests not representative of our District.

2. What experiences qualify you to hold the position you seek?

I am a veteran of the US Navy, a Democratic Committee Person, and I have owned my own small business for over 15 years. As a small business owner, I am constantly faced with problems that require individual solutions. I am proud of my problem-solving skills that require detailed analysis and input from my customers, and I would apply the same approach with problems facing my constituents and constituency.

3. What issues are of most concern to you and how do you plan to address them?

(a) The War in Iraq: I plan to support whatever means necessary to bring the troops home in a responsible manner.

(b) Healthcare reform/ rising healthcare costs: I support and would vote for a single payer or similar healthcare system.

(c) Rising energy costs and depletion of natural energy recourses: I will actively support tax credit alternatives for new energy research and development and I would support cutting tax credits to large oil companies.

(d) Farmland preservation and clean/safe waterways: I would support all efforts to assist farmland preservation and fund the clean-up of all waterways in the US.

4. What is the most important issue facing your constituents and what would you do to address it?

My answer to question No.3 represents my answer to this question as well.

5. Please identify an elected leader that you respect and explain why.

Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia; he sends his children to public schools when, obviously, he could afford not to.

6. Do you support a woman's right to choose?

Yes. I support the agenda of Planned Parenthood in its efforts to educate, support and provide assistance in reproductive healthcare for all. I also support the agenda of NARAL.

6(a). If so, would you support government funding of abortions for economically disadvantaged women?

Yes.

7. Do you agree with the following gun control measures: (a) require gun owners to report lost or stolen guns; (b) limit purchasers to one gun per month; and (c) permit Philadelphia to enact its own gun control laws?

(a) Yes; (b) No; (c) No.

7(a). If no, what strategies would you suggest for decreasing gun violence in Philadelphia?

While Philadelphia and other large cities are not in my congressional district, and while I am mindful of the constitutional limits on controlling/prohibiting gun ownership, I would support a program that focuses on cracking down on straw purchases while beefing up the enforcement of existing laws designed to keep guns away from children and criminals. This could be done by computer-flagging and tracking of individuals making multiple gun purchases on a monthly basis. We need to track where they make purchases, and we need to track the destinations of all such purchases.

8. Do you support universal health care?

Yes.

8(a). If so, please identify your strategy for achieving it.

Please response to Question 3 above.

9. Are you in favor of imposing jail time and/or mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?

I support the concept of a drug court that would determine the need for and order treatment for non-violent users and jail-time for dealers and violent offenders.

10. Do you support ending the war in Iraq as soon as possible?

YES !!!

11. Are there any circumstances under which you would endorse the use of torture as defined by the U.N. Convention Against Torture?

I cannot support the use of any torture, whether sanctioned by the UN or otherwise.

12. Do you support the death penalty?

Yes, in limited instances only.

13. What is your position on the way in which public schools are currently funded?

Schools should be funded primarily by state government and local property taxes collected solely for schools should be abolished.

13(a). If you believe it needs to be changed, how would you change it?

The state could increase state income taxes, sales taxes, or impose a flat tux for this purpose.

14. What is your position on raising, lowering or modifying the existing tax structure?

Same answer as Question 13(a)

15. What is your position on campaign finance reform?

I support campaign finance reform. I have no specific suggestions at this time about how to reform the system, but I support a system that limits contributions being made only by individuals residing in the district in which the candidate also resides or represents. I am not in favor of contributions being made by PAC’s representing corporate entities or trade organizations for businesses that are subject to government regulation.

16. In your opinion, what are the major characteristics of Good Government?

I believe in government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Accordingly, good government should reflect the views and needs of all governed citizens. Those governing should be responsible for making continued efforts to gather citizen input that assures fair and equal representation in the decision making process.

4th link in the same search: http://www.votesmart.org/election_co...hp?state_id=PA

This is his page on the issues: http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=102443#11426

On guns, he says:

Bruce A. Slater (PA)

Office Seeking: U.S. House
District Seeking: 16
Party: Democratic

Gun Issues
(Back to top)
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.
a) Allow individuals to carry concealed guns.
b) Ban the sale, ownership or possession of handguns except by law enforcement and other government officials.
On (c) and (d), indicate what levels (#1-6) you support for the following categories.
Greatly Increase c) Enforcement of existing restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Greatly Increase d) Restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Other or expanded principles
a) I believe individuals should be allowed to carry concealed firearms, PROVIDED they have a valid permit.

d) A national tracking system is needed for habitual/regular gun purchasers.

Also www.ontheissues.org has some good information on current office-holders.

I wouldn't vote for him based on some stupid quip on his website unless his opponent was Nancy Pelosi or worse...

[5711-Marine]

For those in the 7th Congressional district Craig Williams is frequently at his Campaign HQ
5035 Township Line Road
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Phone: 610-789-7077

Stop in or call the office, they will be happy to speak to you.


Oct 27: 10 AM to noon: 7th Congressional District Debate: Joe Sestak/ Craig Williams, Lang Performing Arts Center of Swarthmore College, Swarthmore

[Sebastian]

Just to note, for the 8th Congressional District in Pennsylvania, which is Bucks County, and a few parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery, Tom Manion is the NRA endorsed candidate against D- rated Patrick Murphy.

Also, make sure to vote for Tom Corbett. Morganelli is a gun hater, and Corbett has been very good to us in terms of concealed carry reciprocity.