Early and Often

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Friends,       Vote early and often!  Is it a joke or not?  Sadly, it's becoming no laughing matter.  It's estimated that there are at least 2.5 million people registered to vote in multiple states.  Here in Virginia, we have eight localities where there are more registered voters than voting age adults.        This week, the United States Supreme Court announced its ruling upholding an Ohio law intended to protect the integrity of that state's voter rolls.  Ohio state law provides that if someone hasn't voted in 2 consecutive federal elections, they are to be sent a stamped and self-addressed envelope directed to the Ohio Department of Elections which would allow the voter to indicate that he or she still lives at the address and wishes to remain on voter rolls.  In the event that the postcard is sent for four consecutive years and no reply is made, then those voters are removed from Ohio's voter rolls.  It seems reasonable, doesn't it?       A panoply of liberal organizations, however, charged that the law was discriminatory and that it was aimed at purging poor and minority voters from the rolls.  The Supreme Court disagreed in its 5-4 opinion (click here to read in full.)       Ohio faithfully followed the procedures established under the 1993 National Voter Registration Act.  That law actually requires states to implement programs that "make a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters who have died or changed their residence."  It says that states can't simply remove somebody solely for failing to vote, but it says they can remove a voter if they fail to return a prepaid postage card intended to ascertain if they still live in the district.         That 1993 law acknowledged the balance necessary in a system that promotes free, open and fair elections.  It was intended to increase voter registration but also to protect the integrity of the ballot.  The integrity of the ballot is undermined when opportunities for fraud exist, irrespective of whether widespread fraud actually takes place.  Were we to wait until our system is riddled with widespread fraud, it would be too late to protect the integrity of our system and the confidence of voters.         Ironically, this statutory framework that liberals are now assailing as discriminatory is one that was put initially introduced by liberal Washington State Democrat Al Swift and when it was first passed in 1991, it was vetoed by President George H. W. Bush.  It passed again in virtually identical form in 1993 when both houses of Congress were under Democrat control and it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton.       Now it seems that the liberal establishment wants free and open elections, but that they aren't quite as concerned about that they be fair.  Their mantra is "don't worry about it unless there's widespread fraud."          Ohio and the Supreme Court are absolutely right and Virginia should follow suit.  We have a Department of Elections in Virginia that has steadfastly opposed all efforts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of our voter rolls.  We have a framework in Virginia as well for removing inactive voters who are believed to have moved, however, the Department and certain registrars across the Commonwealth have stubbornly refused to follow those procedures.  The result is a growing crisis of confidence in the integrity of our electoral process in Virginia.  Over recent years, multiple legislative efforts have been made to restore the notion of "fairness" to our electoral equation, but notwithstanding bipartisan support or glaring problems like those localities with more registered voters than voting age adults, they've been vetoed by Governors McAuliffe and Northam.        This is an issue both parties should embrace.  There may be short term opportunities for one party to benefit from unfair practices or policies. At some point, however, the screw turns and today's beneficiary will be tomorrow's victim.  This political gamesmanship with the integrity of our system of elections must end.       Best regards,                     Mark Obenshain              You are receiving this email because you signed up with us at markobenshain.com or at a political function. Paid for by Friends of Mark Obenshain

Friends of Mark Obenshain | P.O. Box 555 | Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Walk out of this CAFÉ

By Craig Rucker

President, CFACT

 

The federal government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard, better known by its acronym CAFÉ, has morphed from "outlived its usefulness" to "counterproductive."

 

CAFÉ was enacted by Congress in 1975. It was Washington's response to several Arab oil embargoes that sent gasoline prices skyrocketing and created long lines at gas pumps across the nation. The top-down solution, according to big government politicos at the time, was to have Uncle Sam force automakers to increase the fuel efficiency standards of cars and trucks.

 

But like many bureaucratic efforts to supplant the free market, it had unintended consequences. CFACT senior policy advisor Paul Driessen explains at CFACT.org:

 

For the first few years, improving gasoline mileage was relatively easy. But as the standards tightened, car makers had to make vehicles smaller and use less steel and more aluminum and plastic to achieve the arbitrary mileage demands. That poses a serious problem that the Trump Administration wants to fix.

 

Bigger, heavier vehicles are safer, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has said for decades. Smaller, lighter vehicles are less crash-worthy, less safe. Drivers and passengers in cars and light trucks are many times more likely to die in a crash – and far more likely to be maimed, disfigured, disabled or paralyzed – beyond what would have occurred if the CAFÉ standards did not exist or had been relaxed.

 

CAFÉ has contributed to thousands of deaths.  Its problems were exacerbated when the Obama Administration launched its war on energy and ratcheted up the mandates in an attempt to bring the requirement from 27.5 MPG to an unrealistic 54.5.

 

Driessen further explains that a National Academy of Sciences study showed there were 2,600 extra fatalities thanks to CAFÉ in 1993 alone - long before the even more unrealistic Obama standards were influencing car makers' safety decisions.

 

Markets are efficient.  Government control is not.

 

President Obama's war on energy was a wrong-headed mistake.  It's time to make the CAFÉ fuel standards broader and more realistic or, better yet, end them all together.

 

 

Freeze, reduce or eliminate

CAFÉ fuel standards

 

By Paul Driessen

 

Read the facts at CFACT.org

 

Quote of the Day

"Mitch McConnell said it best. More has been done for originalism and the defense of rule of law in the last 18 months than in the previous 18 years by the appointment of Neil Gorsuch, 22 federal appeals courts judges. The president of the republic does not drive my morals, your morals, Pete's morals. The president of the republic drives policy and appoints judges to help uphold the rule of law."

Hugh Hewitt

Bishop E.W. Jackson: Election Watch & Victory Party

Join us for a

VICTORY PARTY
ELECTION WATCH

with

E.W. JACKSON
 

Date: Tuesday June 12

Time: 6pm

Location: Westin Hotel, Va. Beach Town Center

4535 Commerce St.Va Beach 23246

 

Please RSVP 

Chris Farmer, Political Director

Cell 703-431-9243

Your prayers and support on this journey to the US Senate have empowered our movement to make Virginia believe again and bring it back to the great leadership it once held. We would love for you to join us as we celebrate what we have accomplished together.

If you're not able to make it, we would love to have your continued prayers and support in these final days before the primaries June 12. Please share this event with your friends, and keep us in prayer as we lean in this last week.

For God and Country,

EW Jackson, Sr.

Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate GOP Primary Election Night Watch Party,

Monday, June 4, 2018

WHAT: Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate GOP Primary Election Night Watch Party​

WHO: Republican United States Senate Candidate and Virginia Delegate (VA-30) Nick Freitas

WHEN: Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: McMahon's Irish Pub & Restaurant located at 380 Broadview Ave, Warrenton, Virginia 20186

June 9th: Rally with Bishop E.W. Jackson

Please join me and pastors from around the State for a special Political and Spiritual Fire Rally in Richmond, Virginia on June 9th.

Bring your friends and come for an afternoon of inspiration, motivation and prayer with some dynamic speakers.

 

Political & Spiritual Fire Rally

with

Bishop E.W. Jackson
&
Special Guest 
General Jerry Boykin

Saturday, June 9th
2pm - 3:30pm

Hilton Richmond Downtown

501 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

 

As we're headed into the final days of the campaign, we're taking the opportunity to gather together, pray for our Country, pray for our State and to remember the foundation on which our great nation was built. 

Light refreshments and drinks will be served at this event. Looking forward to seeing you and praying with you on the 9th. 

For God and Country,

EW Jackson, Sr.

Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate to Host GOTV Rally With Senator Rand Paul

Tuesday, June 5, 2018
 

WHAT: Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate to Host GOTV Rally With U.S. Senator Rand Paul

WHO: Republican United States Senate Candidate and Virginia Delegate (VA-30) Nick Freitas, United States Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)

WHEN: Saturday, June 9 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST

WHERE: Beacon Hill Manor 41166 Canter Lane, Paronian Springs, VA 20129

Delegate (VA-30) Nick Freitas is a Republican U.S. Senate Candidate. The Republican U.S. Senate Primary is on June 12th, 2018. 

Nick enlisted in the United States Army after High School. Following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Nick served two combat tours as a Green Beret in the Middle East. Nick is currently serving his second term as a Virginia House of Delegates member, originally elected in 2015. He and his wife, Tina, and their three children live in Culpeper, VA. 

Endorsed by the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund, Nick maintains a 100% rating with the Virginia Citizens Defense League and A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. Nick Freitas is also proudly endorsed by Senator Mike Lee, Senator Rand Paul, Virginia Majority Leader Delegate Todd Gilbert, Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, State Senator Bill DeSteph, Students for Trump, and many others.

Next MCRW Meeting is Friday, June 8th

---

State Senator Mark Obenshain
has been invited to be the Special Guest Speaker
Tuesday, June 19th
at the
Madison County Republican Women's Meeting
6:00-8:30 PM.

Senator Obenshain has been asked to discuss the vote to expand Medicaid.     The menu features summertime favorites, Sandwiches and Salads with sides and desserts by MCRW members.  Dinner: $8. Everyone is invited to attend this informative meeting.     Location: Madison Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1236 Fishback   Road, Rt. 722 at the north traffic light. For more information, please call (540) 923-4109.    

Presidential Pardons

Friday, June 1, 2018

By Gary Bauer
 

The pardon of my old White House colleague Dinesh D'Souza is being lambasted today by the left-wing media as "political."  But Trump is simply correcting what was a political prosecution. 
 
Making excessive campaign donations historically results in fines.  It rarely results in a criminal prosecution and jail time.  We recently wrote about Rosie O'Donnell dodging legal donation limits, and yet there is no talk of prosecuting her.
 
D'Souza was a well-known outspoken critic of the Obama Administration.  His prosecution was a prime example of "lawfare," using the law to target political opponents, which the left has been doing for decades.
 
The left is also howling over rumors that Trump may pardon Martha Stewart.  It turns out that she was prosecuted by James Comey. 
 
The power of a president to pardon individuals is extraordinarily broad.  We were sadly reminded of that fact when Barack Obama pardoned a terrorist and Chelsea Manning, a traitor who leaked tremendous amounts of national security information. 
 
The sudden interest in the president's pardon powers comes as he has bemoaned the lives ruined by the Mueller investigation.  They have not been ruined because of collusion with Russia.  They have been ruined by an overzealous prosecutor hoping to coerce them into making statements that can be used to bring down the administration. 
 
The most notable example is Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.  It is not at all clear why he was indicted.  The FBI agents who interviewed him did not think he lied.  But his family has been crushed by legal expenses.  Unlike Manning, Flynn is a hero who devoted his life to serving our country. 
 
I have no inside information.  But if this "witch hunt," as the president has called it, by Mueller and his team of liberal lawyers continues, it would not be surprising to see the president exercise his pardon power again.