West Weekly Wrap-up (W3) Report for the week of Oct. 26, 2009

Here we are again for a West Weekly Wrap-up, as I continue to wonder when will we just have a plain, boring week in America….well, it wasn’t this week. The week started in the DC area for work. I arrived on Sunday and, as usual, stayed with friends in Alexandria. I love running through old Alexandria and along the Potomac as our nation’s capital has so much to offer this time of year. An interesting thought occurred to me while jogging through the city. A year ago, and even earlier this year, the Obama signs and bumper stickers were everywhere. When one walked through Reagan National airport there were Obama clothing items, including life-size cardboard cutouts, everywhere. Now the reality of governing as a far left liberal is setting in and the voters are slowly recognizing that President Obama is not the savior he portrayed himself to be….my what a difference a year makes. A year ago, Obama carried the Commonwealth of Virginia by 6%; now, the GOP candidate won his race for governor. Results from the New Jersey governor’s race and the special Congressional election in NY-23, were also surprises. The candidacy of Doug Hoffman in NY-23 portends the direction the elections of 2010, a true conservative providing an answer to the wasteful, arrogant spending of the Democrats in charge of Congress. Truth be told, Republicans are not exempt either since the spending began on their watch. The public has a right to be upset at how politicians are dangerously spending our money, putting us at risk due to the immense debt they are piling up. I am running for Congress as a Republican, but I am a conservative who, if sent to Washington DC on your behalf, will stand up to the waste and special interests of both parties. I had the pleasure of having lunch with former Congressman JC Watts regarding our campaign and seeking his support. Later that evening I met with Florida Congressman Posey and even had a surprise chat with House Minority Leader Congressman Boehner. I must admit, there is a marked difference this cycle from our 2008 campaign and I’m excited to be meeting with so many conservative leaders, but I’m most excited when I get to work with my future constituents. The voices and support of the voters are what keep me most energized for 2010. After garnering such a large portion of the vote in District 22 during a Democratic year and with little money in comparison to my well financed, $3 million special interest supported opponent, I’m very much hopeful that, with all your support, we will defeat Ron Klein and the Nancy Pelosi agenda! To close out the DC trip we had two really exceptional dinners: one with the Liberty Legal Foundation and International Free Speech Society and the other with The Conservative Caucus. I was given the opportunity to speak at the Tuesday dinner with such prominent individuals such as Joyce Kaufman and Pamela Geller in attendance, as well as several distinguished British and European political figures. I followed up those events with Wednesday’s Conservative Caucus dinner, held in honor of their 35th anniversary. I had the opportunity to be introduced to Mr. Howard Phillips by Kimberly Bellisimo, a stalwart in the DC conservative community. Upon returning home Thursday, we had a nice reception sponsored by Susan Aleshire, Buzz Englander, and Kevin Tynan at the Weston Hills CC. Again, I stressed the message of the production class vs the entitlement class, and the overall objectives of liberals to dictate and control every facet of our lives…which leads to my next point. The 2,000 page healthcare government takeover released by Nancy Pelosi, Ron Klein, and their tax and control liberals is nothing more than another example of the federal government intruding in our lives, wasting our tax dollars with hundreds of new bureaucracies and the seizure of another aspect of our national production. Furthermore, the mandate issued by Congress that every American purchase health insurance has no constitutional basis. The question then becomes, does that mandate apply to Pelosi or Ron Klein? It’s doubtful they will give up their gold-plated benefits they provide for themselves. I’d like to see Ron Klein vote for this 2,000 page monstrosity disguised as legislation. A vote for the federal government becoming your insurance provider would be representative of how much Klein is in line with the Pelosi plans for America….higher taxes, out of control spending, anti-small business legislation, and no job creation. I look forward to the debate ahead as liberals like Klein try to explain why their waste, their special interests, their lack of job creation is the right path for America in 2010. My week ended somewhat bittersweet. Saturday began with a picture perfect run along Ft. Lauderdale beach at sunrise…a beautiful orange sun rising over the ocean’s horizon as the waves crashed and I finished my 11 mile jaunt. The bitter part was attending the “homegoing” of Army Specialist Daniel Courtney Lawson, a son, a husband, and a father of three in Deerfield Beach. As I sat there reflecting on the life he lived and lost, so many emotions ran through my mind but mostly it was disappointment and anger. Anger in knowing exactly where this young man of 33 years lost his life, Arghandab Valley in Kandahar province. But also disappointment in knowing that there is a commander-in-chief who, since his inauguration, has sat idly by as we witness the worse months for casualties in Afghanistan. The President, turning his back on the needs of our brave soldiers, does nothing but debate implementation of his own personally appointed general’s recommendations! American soldiers are in harms way and the mainstream media says NOTHING! Our military deserves a decision from their commander in chief. Many of you may know my story from 2003 in Iraq as a battalion commander. The only consolation I had sitting there was knowing no mother, father, wife, or child of my soldiers had to receive a folded American flag because I did nothing as a commander. I am proud to know I worked hard to serve the best interests and lives of the soldiers serving under my command and I hope President Obama makes the right decision to provide the resources needed by our finest on the battlefield. As your Congressman, my oath and commitment shall again be the same and I promise that I will never waver in the fight against radical Islamic terrorists and will always, “…support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same”.

Steadfast and Loyal,

Allen