Vote Loebsack, not GOP
by Ellen Ballas
What will it take to convince Iowans in the second district that a vote for Jim Leach (R-IA) is a vote for the Republican Party and the Republican-controlled Congress?
Leach does a great job talking the talk of a moderate. But, instead of just taking his word for it, let's take a closer look at his voting pattern using a few of his recent votes as examples.
My first example: On May 24th, Leach helped kill a Democratic effort to add $750 million for alternative energy, innovation and energy efficiency and $250 million for flood control efforts to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 5427). Leach joined 224 of his fellow Republicans in voting to kill the Democratic amendment.
Second example: Leach again joined Republicans on May 25th to end Democratic efforts to amend the Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 5441). Leach voted to kill two Democratic amendments that would have provided $3.5 billion to improve homeland security and increase chemical plant security. Republicans killed the Democratic effort 217-195.
The first amendment, offered by Dave Obey (D-WI), would have provided $3.5 billion to improve homeland security. Paid for entirely by slightly rolling back the Bush tax cut for millionaires, the amendment would have allocated $2.1 billion for enhanced border security, $600 million for enhanced port security, $600 million for equipping and training first responders and increasing disaster preparedness, and $200 million for expanding explosive detection systems at airports.
The second amendment, offered by Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN), attempted to make chemical facilities here in the United States more secure by giving the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority he needs to issue security regulations for chemical facilities.
Third example: On May 18th, Leach chose special interests over American Families. Leach voted for the Republican-tax-cuts-for-millionaires-bill (H.CON.RES.376) adding trillions to the already insane deficit over the next ten years. This bill slices and dices critical middle class priorities like health care, education and tax relief. And, it will also cut billions from homeland security and veterans health care.
To top off the already disastrous Republican-tax-cuts-for-millionaires-bill, Leach voted against a Democratic-sponsored amendment (H.Amdt. 833) that would have balanced the national budget by 2012, while providing more funding for health care, education, homeland security, and the environment.
Jim Leach does not represent the values and concerns of Iowans in the second district. He has spent the last 30 years as a career politician. Thus, Republicans know that when they need Leach's vote they have it (i.e., Medicare Part D, USA Patriot Act). And when Republicans don't need Leach's vote to pass a House bill, Leach votes with Democrats so he looks good in the district.
A vote for Leach is a vote for more of the same culture of corruption in the Republican-controlled Congress. Help get the word out, this November vote for someone who will work hard for hardworking Iowans. Vote for Leadership. Vote for Democratic candidate, Dave Loebsack (IA-2).
Ellen Ballas
Blog For Iowa 
Did you contact Congressman Leach's office to ask for an explanation of his votes? Also, it's dangerous to try to characterize a person's entire Congressional career with three recent votes.
Finally, I think you're toeing the line of outrageous hyperbole when you put the words “Leach” and ” corruption” in the same sentence in an attempt to link him to the current scandals.
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If you read more carefully, you will see that the recent votes cited here are used solely to explain Leach’s overall voting pattern. If you would like to venture back into time, take a look at his vote on Medicare Part D, The USA Patriot Act, NAFTA, The 10 Commandments, and in particular Leach’s voting pattern on the estate tax.
With regard to House corruption, Leach voted to protect Tom DeLay by relaxing House ethics rules in January 2005 when the rules for the 109th Congress were voted on. He later flip-flopped, voting to restore the original rules, when DeLay could not escape public scrutiny, in April. Leach voted with DeLay 70% overall. Leach was an early supporter of Rep. Roy Blunt, a nominee to succeed the indicted Tom DeLay. Roy Blunt is as corrupt as Tom DeLay:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-10-06-delay-blunt_x.htm
This information is available to you here: http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/votes.html
For your information, Leach was also in favor of privatizing Social Security in 2004 and in 2005 he did not take a position. Why?
What is your point in asking if a call was made to Leach’s office requesting an explanation of his votes?
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It is a bold faced lie that Jim Leach supported the President's plan on Social Security, you prove it. He did like hell. Are you mad that a Republican administration passed prescription drug coverage? Thougn not perfect it sure was a better deal then seniors were getting before from medicare on drug coverage.
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