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Incumbent Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson - Ineffective and Unrepresentative - A Time for Change:

 

Mike Thompson is an ineffective, unrepresentative Congressman for the 1st California District. It is Time for Change.

Thompson claims to be a Moderate Democrat, even a member of the Blue Dog (“conservative”) Democrats in Congress - his only conservative credentials are his claimed “Pro-life” position (though he is a strong and consistent supporter of abortion-authorizing legislation and against the unborn) and a member of the NRA (though voting against gun rights).

Thompson is NOT moderate or conservative. He has an extremely liberal voting record which almost exactly mirrors that of Nancy Pelosi – Not a conservative. He has shown himself to be more interested in climbing the Democratic hierarchy in the House of Representatives than representing his constituents, serving more at the dictates of Pelosi (his current campaign for re-election has been minimal while he has been the most prolific fund-raiser – approaching $2 million – for the Democratic National Congressional Campaign Committee).

Two National Immigration Control coalitions have rated Thompson F, routinely voting Against Immigration Control legislation and For Benefits being granted to Illegal Aliens. The National Taxpayers’ coalition has rated him Failing, voting Against tax cuts and For new and increased Taxes.

“Baghdad Mike” joined Congressmen David Bonior and Jim McDermot on a junket to visit Saddam just before our invasion of Iraq in March 2003. He said that the trip was misunderstood and was only for assessment of the situation in Iraq, but in their meetings with Saddam he called President Bush a “Liar”, denounced the U N Resolutions, and encouraged Saddam to ‘stay the course’. It’s been recently revealed that the trip was sponsored by HELP, a Michigan-based primary funding source for Al Qaeda. Thompson has posted many votes against the War on Terror and in Iraq. This past Spring he offered legislation (fortunately not supported) to ‘cut and run’, calling for the re-deployment of all U. S. troops from Iraq by 9-30-06.

Looking back, Thompson had also gone on a junket (without State Dept. support or approval) to Cuba in 2002 and toasted some of our California wine with Fidel Castro (the U. S. has a trade embargo imposed against Cuba). This spring he was heard to tell a gathering of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that ‘he was a Vietnam veteran, and from a safe Congressional District, so he could say whatever he might choose’. We do have the Freedom of Speech, but a Representative of the People speaks for those people and should be responsible in his speech and actions.

The Citizens Against Governmental Waste has scored Thompson a zero for his supporting and voting in favor of essentially all legislation of Pork Barrel spending. The American Conservative Union has scored his career representation record a 12 out of 100.

Thompson has routinely failed to respond to or has dropped the ball on constituent requests and concerns. Over two years ago concerns in Crescent City were brought to his attention that their Airport’s commercial aviation service was at risk. The Airport is able to serve only 30-passenger prop-jets. The runaway needs to be extended, and yet the County’s economy is depressed and has a very limited tax base to fund such. Thompson offered legislation for Federal support. He never got a co-sponsor in Congress, the resolution was tabled in Committee, and he has never followed up on it. Similar help could be extremely important and helpful for the Lake County Airport in Lakeport, as well as possibly other airports in the other counties.

The current depression of and restriction on the Salmon Fishing industry, commercial and recreational, has had a severe, depressing impact on the District economies, and yet little effort of support has been evidenced by Thompson beyond a couple nasty, accusatory letters to ‘Administration bureaucrats’, and then publicly claiming responsibility / success when they have provided supplemental support for the industries. No apparent effort towards finding solutions to the conditions has been evidenced.

The one significant piece of legislation Thompson has gotten through the House in his 8 years in office has been his “Wilderness Legislation” this Summer. This ill-conceived legislation, which I have lobbying against, sets aside 275,000 acres of the NW California forests as “wilderness”, restricting all permit and public access. This is in essence a death knell to the timber industry (currently only approx. 5% of the 1 million acres of Six Rivers National Forest could be considered for any possible logging) as well as allowing only access on foot, with many other severe restrictions to those wishing recreational access – even though being many of the best stewards of the backcountry. This additional restriction of access would also further over-burden the Forest Service in its forest management efforts. No further support of the Forest Service is provided with this legislation in their budget, additional personnel or equipment. Likely the only access to these areas that might occur would be that which is not authorized or desired, and could go unchecked. Thompson has routinely acted to hinder and hurt the timber industry, as well as business in general, and he has not acted to support the District’s infrastructure.

The members of the Wine Industry have considered Thompson one of them and a friend, having a wine interest from St. Helena in Napa County himself. But he has done little for them while appearing to be a supporter of their trade. Most significantly he has routinely taken wines from the District to Washington to share with his fellow Congressmen.

As you can see, based on this information garnered from documentation and other reliable sources, I think that most would agree that Thompson is just another “Politician” pursuing self-interest and not serving his constituency. It is a Time for Change.

I offer a Fresh new Energy with a Can-do Spirit. Give me the chance, visit my web site, www.JohnWJonesforCongress.com, and review my statement on some platform issues. If you like what I offer, I would appreciate your Support and Vote, John W. Jones

Eminent Domain:
We must enact legislation that will prevent any governmental entity from taking private property for the purposes of any other private benefit or to enhance public taxation revenues. It can certainly be appropriate for governments to take such property for the benefit of the greater good, such as critically-needed public transportation or other critical infrastructure, or to eliminate gross public nuisances or to re-develop gross hazards or environmental deterioration. When such takings are necessitated, fair and just compensation must be provided the private property owner (existing valuation, not potential future or developed valuation). All other takings and unfair actions must be prevented, and reasonable, timely opportunity of appeal by the private party must be accommodated.

Jessica’s Law :
This important initiative must be passed into law. Our children must be protected from sexual predators. The freedom of movement of such sexual predators after being paroled must be restricted, limiting their access around and contact with children, with their movements closely monitored (especially such as the required recommended wearing of the global positioning devices) to prevent any possible subsequent violation against any other children.

Indian Sovereignty:
I have the highest respect for our Country’s Native-Americans, and would like to see them brought into the fold of our communities and our Country. I believe that Native-Americans generally feel isolated and separate from the main stream of our country and society, and lacking any real representation or voice in our government. I believe that all tribal members must be assured their full U.S. Citizenship and all the rights and benefits of that citizenship (not conferred when initially sent to reservations in the 1800’s, but granted in 1924), and the opportunity of full assimilation while retaining the richness of their culture. I believe the fact of their granted Citizenship and yet retention of sovereignty, the same as a foreign country with its members having dual citizenship, is improper. I would suggest that Indian sovereignty should be eliminated and all Native-American Reservations and Rancherias should be instead given the full rights of Incorporation of their Communities the same as any other incorporated community. This would afford these communities of Native-Americans the same full autonomy as they presently enjoy with sovereignty while bringing them within the jurisdictions and regulations of the Counties and States they live within and the Federal Government. They would be responsible to all existing requirements of taxation and labor laws (for the rights and protections of their employees) and the operation of their commercial interests – gaming operations should be limited to their existing jurisdictions. This would also assure their responsibility of contributing their share towards the benefits they receive from the greater communities, including public safety, education, health services, etc. I believe that this would create a much healthier relationship, and would in fact bring all Native-Americans into the fold of our communities, government, and Country, and would reverse any existing perception by any group of their separation and the lack of representation of their interests.

My Full Support & Commitment to Newt Gingrich’s 21^st Century Contract with America:
Newt Gingrich has offered a 21^st Century Contract with America, which I am fully in support of and committed to. There is a great deal of wisdom in this Contract: 

1. Defend the U.S. and our Allies against Terrorism  
2. Reform Social Security
3. Reaffirm the Creator responsible for our Liberties
4. Educate our Children to Patriotism / Citizenship
5. Meet our Economic & Technological Challenges

Enact Lawsuit reform & Provide Science / Technology Education incentives
Simplify Tax Code
Enhance Math & Science Education
Provide & Encourage Science / Technology Investment
Pursue Health Care transformation – greater technology & lower cost

6. Enhance the Quality of Life and Aging

Promote & Provide for the Healthy Involvement of the Aged
Enhance Independence of the Aged
Assure Quality Long-term Care
Assist Disabilities Support

7. Enhance the Entrepreneurial Management of Government
8. Balance the Budget – Low Tax, with Lean Government
9. Congressional Reform – Responsive
10.  Reformed Elections

He has outlined 11 value-based Policies that Republicans should embrace, and I will pursue these items in Congress: 

1. Make English the Official Language of Government
2. Control the Borders
3. Keep God in the Pledge
4. Require a Voter ID Card
5. Repeal the Death Tax, for Good
6. Restore Property Rights
7. Achieve Sustainable Energy Independence
8. Control Spending and Balance the Budget
9. Tie Education Funding to Teacher Accountability
10.  Defend America from the Irreconcilable Wing of Islam
11.  Focus on Iran and North Korea

Smart Legislation - Just like Leadership, has Vision, Gives Direction, Is intelligent and studied, Doesn’t Micro-manage, allows for Professional Administration instead of Bureaucracy:
 

Legislators must deal with the Government and approach the Legislative Process with diligent Research and Intelligent decisions, finding the best resolution to issues and needs. I believe that it is so important that the Legislative process be approached intelligently and responsibly. Each Issue and Need must be investigated very thoroughly and all experts and interests consulted to find the best possible answers. I choose to contact the appropriate Agencies and learn the full background and current practices involved. Experts in the associated fields must be contacted and research where appropriate commissioned to gain the fullest understanding of all considerations and the potential and opportunities available. All parties need to be brought to the Table to work towards solutions that will address all interests’ needs, getting past adversarial positions and towards solutions that will serve all needs fairly and, answering all interests and needs, will foster the most positive working relationships and cooperation. An example would be bringing the Timber Industry, Forest Service, Environmental interests, and Outdoor Sportsmen together around the table to consider opening the forests up again to Logging and reasonable Public Access while protecting and managing the Forests for greatest environmental protection.

Any Legislation then written must not be over-written / over-stated. It must be limited to simply giving a clear vision and direction of what is wished to be accomplished, enough guidance to provide clear definition of how the administration of an issue or program should be pursued, and the appropriate funding allocated / support provided, and means of monitoring / assuring that the resolution to the need is properly fulfilled. No legislation should be developed that micro-manages the administration of any issue or program. Such excessive legislative prerogatives, with excessive regulations, only force any administration into excessive bureaucracy to protect itself from erring. Professional administrations know their fields and their jobs, and given the clear vision and direction of what is desired, with the appropriate latitude and freedom to do what they know best and Do their jobs, they can succeed in completing their given mission, and without demanding or needing a burdensome Bureaucracy.

I have the Leadership skills, from my education, training and extensive experience, to be able to guide such a Legislative process to effective, permanent resolution of the problems and needs confronting our Government. I will never assume that I know the best way to deal with and solve things, but will look forward to bringing the resources of our Government and our communities together to find those best, long-term resolutions.

Response to an Attempted Campaign Hit Piece re My Integrity: Yes, I was Fired from the Police Department - A Malicious Prosecution based on False Allegations, Subsequently Over-turned:

10-9-06
It has just been brought to my attention that the Flatlander paper wrote an apparent potential dirty tricks hit piece against my Congressional campaign. It referenced that I had been fired by the Police Dept. and questioned my integrity in the piece. Before I was aware he was the Flatlander’s Editor and Publisher, Martin Barnes had e-mailed me and asked about my being fired. I had answered him honestly and forthrightly, yet what he printed was very disingenuous and filled with gross misinformation, with no reference to any of my explanation.

Yes, I was fired by the Police Dept. in 1988. At the time I was the President of the Police Officers’ Association, and I was involved with our Association Attorney in very heated negotiations with the Police Administration over working conditions issues. I was subsequently surprised to be charged with failure to act in response to a citizen’s complaint, and was fired. I contended that there was no substance or truth to the allegations. During the hearing, the sole witness against me admitted during sworn testimony to having perjured his account of the incident at the direction of the Asst. Police Chief. Other witnesses then gave testimony that corroborated my account of things. The court found in my favor and I was re-instated, and the Superior Court subsequently awarded me my full back pay. This information is all supported by court records. I retired from the Police Dept. 14 years later in good standing, with an honorable record after 31 years service.

To this day, as I believe many in the community will agree with and support me, I stand by my personal integrity, and I wish to bring that same high standard of integrity to Washington and to our government. I thank the many members of the Community who support me, and I hope to provide the highest possible level of Service to the citizens of the District and our Country.

The First Amendment: Rights of Religious Observance:

The 1st Amendment to our Nation’s Constitution proclaims that “Congress shall make no Law respecting an Establishment of Religion, or Prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof”. That clear statement, “no Law … Prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof”, is often overlooked in the debate of ‘separation of Church and State’. The Amendment adds that “Congress shall make no Law … abridging … the Right of the People peaceably to Assemble …”

In the debate, nowhere in the Constitution is there any reference to the “separation of church and state”. This argument was only introduced in a Supreme Court reference to a letter of Thomas Jefferson in 1802 when he used a metaphor of “wall of separation” in discussing an issue to the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut. I subscribe that the phrase in the original amendment stating that ‘no law shall be enacted to prohibit the free exercise of religion’, including in any ‘peaceable public assembly’, makes any argument of pure separation moot. When suggesting that no exercise of any religious kind can be permitted in any circumstance involving any element or part of the ‘state’, only prohibiting any act of ‘establishment’, is wrong. I further subscribe that any reference to “God”, being that all religions do reference their own definition of a ‘God’, can be freely interpreted by the individual audience members in their own way.

Based on these arguments, and the fact that our country was established on a Judeo-Christian tradition and our population is at least 85% such even today, I subscribe to the position that religious references and practices, in particular of this Judeo-Christian tradition, while presented in a non-denominational context / presentation, our wholly appropriate within our government and public discourse and activities. I equally reference my background with the Boy Scout program. The Boy Scout Law proclaims that a “Scout is Reverent”, defined as ‘a Scout respects his own Faith and the Faith of Others’. That simple statement is very clear, and requires only full “Respect” of “Faith”, his own and others, not any expectations or demands of religion through practice or conversion.

I fully support the existence of “under God” in our Pledge, on our currency, and in any other way, as this is a generic reference. I fully support all public displays, such as the Ten Commandments and Christmas observances and decorations. I support non-denominational prayer at public events. I also fully support the promotion of faith-based services supported and working with the government to help people. Any and all support by the government of these groups has been considered and based on merit, all religions and denominations have had equal opportunity to participate, and their operations and services have been dictated by a standard of providing the services without promotion of their organization or beliefs – i.e. No establishment.

We must simply respect religion and allow for its existence and the individual importance of it to each citizen, and not denigrate it or try to keep it away from anyone – just the simple freedom of exercise.

Constitutional Checks and Balance: Congressional Oversight of the Judiciary:

The role of the Judiciary, especially at the appellate level, is to determine the constitutionality of criminal justice decisions, not to legislate opinions.

The framers of our Constitution sought to provide, as stated in Federalist Papers No. 51 to protect liberty, ‘the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consisting in giving to those who administer each department, the necessary constitutional means, and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others’. This meant that the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government were to exact checks and balances over the powers of the other branches. This included rulings on the constitutionality of legislation, confirmation of appointments, impeachment of officials, legislative authority over budgets and creation and authorization of programs, etc. This includes as well the confirmation of Judicial appointments, legislative definition of crimes and punishments, and authorization of judicial budgets, etc.

The Constitution provides: ‘All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States (Section I-Clause 1), provide for the common Defence and general Welfare (I-8), and make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution (I-8), as well as sole Power to try all Impeachments (I-3). The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made (III-2), and Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior (III-1). The Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulation as the Congress shall make (III-2).’ This in essence clarifies that the legislative branch shall create the laws and the judicial branch shall judge the execution of the laws, and each branch shall have checks and balances over the power and authority of the other.

Through legislative process, judicial purview of the criminal justice system can be controlled further through more restrictive definition of crimes and punishments, determinate sentencing, closer oversight with the executive branch of the selection of Judges, and more restrictive terms of appointment of judges and enactment of their budgets, etc. I will work to support greater checks on our judiciary and reining in of legislative decisions of the judiciary, moving more to simple ‘constitutional’ interpretations and judgments.

Passage of Earmarks Legislation Transparency Critical:

It is critically important that the Obligation of Funds Transparency Act of 2005 (Senate Resolution 1495) is passed, exposing to the public the source of all Earmark Legislation. This identifies the author, source, and purpose of all pork-barrel spending amendments (spending requested by only one legislator, not specifically authorized, not competitively awarded, not requested by the President, exceeding budgetary requests or funding, not subject to hearing, and only serving a local or special interest) that are inserted into other legislation. By such authorship exposure, it is an attempt to control wasteful spending not in the best interests of the general public and seeking the Fiscal Responsibility of Congress and our Government.

I fully support this Act. While he calls for the fiscal responsibility of the Federal Government, the incumbent Democrat Mike Thompson voted against passage of this important legislation, and he has a voting record, rated failing by the Citizens Against Governmental Waste, of voting FOR essentially all pork-barrel amendments that have been offered.

The Second Amendment: The Rights of all Citizens to Bear Arms:

The 2nd Amendment to our Nation’s Constitution proclaims “the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. While justifying this by stating that “a well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state”, the context that our Founding generation lived in suggested having militias of ordinary citizens who could respond to sudden invasions or similar emergencies with their own supplied weapons, and also providing protection against central government armies that might oppress the people and threaten their liberties. While the debate has raged on over the years, the central premise of the Constitution and the assurances of the 14th Amendment argue that the individual citizens must retain their rights to protection of liberty and all their rights, and nothing has suggested that the federal government has needed or rightfully possessed the power to disarm American citizens.

As a retired Police Officer of 31 years of service and a long-time member of the NRA, I fully support the protection of our 2nd Amendment Rights. I believe every citizen does have the right to keep and bear arms, not just that of a ‘militia’, for personal legal uses as well as for a sense of assurance of their rights and liberty. Equally I believe that we need no more gun control legislation, but instead the full enforcement of existing laws when violated through criminal activity. National Gun Registration is a violation of the 2nd Amendment and an unnecessary violation of privacy as is the practice of “sting operations” at gun shows without justified cause based on identified criminal activity / intent. I as well will never subscribe to forfeiting any of our country’s sovereignty and allow any U N effort to disarm our citizens.

I’m a strong Constitutionalist and will fight for the protection of all of our Rights of Citizenship. As a retired Cop and an Eagle Scout, I will stand firm as a Public Servant and on my Personal Integrity on this and all other such fights for our Constitutional Rights.

Enforcement of Treason:

Just as our Department of Justice just recently obtained an indictment for Treason against a young man, a U S citizen, who has joined Al Qaeda to fight against us, I believe that there should be more active investigations and indictments against those among us who have also committed this crime.

Article III, Section 3, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution defines: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort”.

I believe that ‘adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort’ includes divulging classified secrets that substantially hurt military’s and country’s ability to effectively prosecute the war and conduct an effective intelligence program and denigrating and undermining those same plans and strategies to the world and our enemies, emboldening their positions and weakening our population’s resolve.

U. S. Citizenship must be Cherished, and Protected:

U.S. Citizenship is a very important and treasured right and privilege. It must not be taken lightly when granted to new members of our country. The 14th Amendment Section 1 declares that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens …” This was based on the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that stated that “all persons born in the U.S. and not subject to any foreign power … are hereby declared to be citizens …” This simply excluded from citizenship anyone born of circumstances where there was not sole allegiance to the United States, which would include the child of any immigrant who still held any interest or allegiance to their homeland.

Article I Section 8 Clause 4 of the Constitution defines Naturalization, and a Uniform Rule of Naturalization, as described in the Naturalization Act of 1795, as requiring ‘5 years of lawful residence within the United States, being of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States, and taking of a formal oath to support the Constitution and to renounce any foreign allegiance …’

When referencing ‘being of good moral character and attached to the principles of the Constitution and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the U S’, I believe that this process should be further expanded and certified for naturalization to Citizenship. This must include a full working knowledge and grasp of the English language, which should be established as the official language of the United States, and a full knowledge and understanding of the History of the United States and its Constitution and Political Institutions and Processes. This would encourage and provide for more successful assimilation and participation of our new citizens. Equally such standards should be better incorporated into our educational institutions as standards for successful matriculation.