Jeff Parnell - A Voice, Not an Echo

News from Buffalo: GOP "Pie Rally"

Jeff Parnell was in the spotlight at the Republican Rally for the majority of the evening on Saturday. The GOP candidate for the congressional seat now occupied by Democrat Ike Skelton serenaded the audience with political satire tunes through dinner, gave an invigorating speech during the “meet the candidates” portion of the evening, and paid the most, $37.50, for a coconut cream pie during the dessert auction.

From The Buffalo Reflex. Click here for the original article.

It's Up To You: Convince Ike to Accept the Challenge to Debate!

The below letter went out to approximately 50 newspapers around the state; We have sent five certified letters to Congressman Skelton requesting a debate prior to the election and have heard nothing; Therefore, we are going "over his head" and turning it over to you, the voters. Following the letter is contact information for Congressman Skelton's offices; should you feel led to do so, please contact him and any media outlets in your area...

October 7, 2008

Dear Editor

As the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in Missouri’s 4^th District, I have been privileged to have a unique view of the public’s reaction to the infamous, $700 billion “bailout plan” before, during, and after it was voted upon. Hundreds of people, from Missouri and all over the nation, have contacted me to register their displeasure with their elected representatives, share their ideas, and solicit my views on the subject. I am on record as opposing the legislation; not one citizen who has contacted me has yet been in support of it, either.

Naturally, the majority of the folks from whom I have heard reside in Missouri’s 4^th Congressional District, and much of the anger expressed is because they believe that they have been completely ignored.

I can certainly relate to their frustration. On September 17, Congressman Ike Skelton’s campaign headquarters in Harrisonville received an invitation from my campaign, via certified mail, to join me in at least one debate prior to the election. Hearing nothing, we sent certified letters to all of his official Missouri offices. These, too, have been received and likewise ignored.

Can it be that Congressman Skelton has confused the position of U.S. Representative with that of Supreme Court Justice? Are the individuals we send to congress now appointed for life, and accountable to no one? I suppose that after 32 years in office, one might acquire such a view.

You and all thinking citizens who value our system of government should be discouraged by this arrogance. It is typical of all those individuals who have been in office too long to be effective, have no desire to challenge the status quo, and owe so much to so many, who unfortunately do not happen to be their constituents.

I would encourage you and all who read this to contact Congressman Skelton and remind him that he is not a member of the Supreme Court, and that he serves at the pleasure of the voters.

I believe there is no honor in hiding to keep one’s position.

Sincerely,

Jeff Parnell

Republican Nominee

Missouri’s 4^th Congressional District

Contacts For Congressman Skelton:

Campaign Headquarters

Mailing Address:
PO Box A
Harrisonville, MO 64701

Phone: (816) 380-3455
Fax: (816) 887-4779

Official Missouri Offices:

Blue Springs Office
514-B NW Seven Highway
Blue Springs, MO 64014-2733
Telephone: 816-228-4242

Jefferson City Office
1401 Southwest Blvd, Suite 101
Jefferson City, MO 65109-2429
Telephone: 573-635-3499

Lebanon Office
219 N Adams St
Lebanon, MO 65536-3000
Telephone: 417-532-7964

Sedalia Office
908 Thompson Blvd.
Sedalia, MO 65301-4593
Telephone: 660-826-2675

http://www.house.gov/skelton/email.shtml

Skelton Supported Bailout Bill, Draws Criticism from Jeff Parnell

This is a very interesting article from KRMS, which mentions Jeff. You should read the comments for some good points, and a good laugh as well.

Two hundred five members of Congress voted in favor of the failed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, and one of those voters was Congressman Ike Skelton (D), who represents Missouri's Fourth Congressional District.

Skelton spokeswoman Rebecca Loving says Skelton cast his vote in favor of the $700 billion bailout because of feelings of urgency.

"The Congressman felt that the economic situation was dire enough that we needed to act and act quickly to resolve the issues facing the economy and our country," Loving said.

Skelton drew fire from his opponent in the November election for his vote in favor of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. Fourth Congressional District candidate Jeff Parnell (R) says Skelton's vote for the bailout was no surprise to him.

"It's nothing new. (Skelton) votes with Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi (D-California) about 90 percent of the time regardless of the issue, but I think as a conservative and as a free marketeer, I don't think a rush to a $700 billion-put-the-taxpayer-on-the-hook bill is the way to go," Parnell said.

Parnell blasted the bailout bill, and then used it as an example of what he believes to be careless spending on Capitol Hill.

"In the great news cycle about this bailout, the Senate submitted an omnibus spending bill to the president to sign just to keep the government going that was $500 billion, and all these people that voted for this bill had already put, I think, something like $150 million worth of earmarks in that bill," Parnell said.

Loving says Representative Skelton believes a new variation of the economic stabilization plan will come forward soon.

"The Congressman felt that it was unfortunate, of course, that the bill did not pass since he had supported it, but is optimistic of the future of the bill and optimistic that something will pass the Congress quickly," Loving said.

The Rogersville Republican took his criticism a step further at a Camden County Republican Club rally in Osage Beach by calling for Missouri voters to get rid of incumbents in Congress.

"I think we've got a case where anybody who has been in Congress for any length of time is totally irresponsible and has lot touch with what people in Missouri and everywhere else are going through," Parnell said.

This is Parnell's second attempt to run against Skelton, who has been in Congress since 1977. Parnell ran for the Republican nomination for the Fourth District in 2003, but lost in the primary.

Parnell Blasts Bailout

Jeff Parnell had the following to say about today's failed vote on the economic bailout and Ike Skelton's vote for the bill:

"I believe that we either believe in free enterprise or we don't. I suspect that many of our office holders are more concerned about being blamed for the financial mess, and therefore want to "fix" it, then whether or not this is the right thing to do." Congressman Skelton voted for this abysmal bill which will put the American taxpayer on the hook for billions of dollars.

New Song: "We Don't Need Your Kind of Change"

Due to my hectic pace of campaigning and running a business, it has been a while since I have created and released any new songs; but after the last few months of listening to Barack Obama and his surrogates, a few days ago, I hit a wall and composed a Missouri response to his majesty. Hence, please enjoy "We Don't Need Your Kind Of Change" (mp3)

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