(IN) Just called Sen. Richard Lugar

[Spark]

Just called Rep Richard Lugar (IN)

I've been contemplating moving my business to Indiana because of less expensive property and lower taxes than Kentucky. Because of Lugar's vote in voting for the AWB extension, I called his office.

I told him, point blank:

1. I wouldn't be purchasing property in Indiana.
2. I wouldn't be moving my business with several million $$$ per year in sales to IN
3. IN wouldn't be collecting any of my company's employment or property taxes.
4. IN wouldn't be getting any employment from us.
5. Next time he votes anti-gun, he might want to think what it's going to cost him.

What did you guys do?

 

[El Tejon]

Spark, don't forget to WRITE as well.

 

[J Jones]

Actually, he's a Senator, but all the rest sounds just fine by me. You may want to consider that you and your employees, be they of like mind, could have influence on upcoming IN elections and send Lugar packing.

 

[Matt_S]

Indiana seemed like a mostly conservative state, excepting Gary. Granted Indy is becoming more liberal. But having both senators sell us out makes me

 

[Mark Tyson]

Wow, Spark, you've got the balls to put your money where your mouth is. I salute you.

 

[Cliff]

Yep, J Jones is right on the senator thing. Put in in writing. Send copies to the other senator and the Rep's

 

[Greg L]

Include a copy to our two here Kevin with a note explaining that this is why you are staying.

Greg

 

[Spark]

Oh yes, I've already contacted Mitch McConnell and let him know that he'll be getting mucho support from me for his actions this last week.

 

[garrettwc]

Spark, I'm with you. Email went out this afternoon. I'm going to follow up with letters detailing my issues with Bayh and Lugar's votes, and then as we get closer to November see what sort of volunteer work I can do to help them retire from public life.

 

[Waitone]

Write up a concise, professional letter to the good senator and send it.

Make copies and send those copies to IN rag of record, the governor, the state economic development board, and the economic development committees of the state house and senate (as appropriate).

What you do is outstanding. Let the power structure know there are economic consequences to political decisions.

Now all we gotta do is get gun manufacturers out of MA, NY, NJ, MD, IL, and CA.

Same goes for importers and master distributors.

 

[gunsmith]

I left a phone message

telling him I would be sending checks to his conservative opposition

 

[hilljack22]

I am out of town right now, but I guarantee you I will be writing both Bayh and Lugar when I get back.

 

[Greg L]

I've already contacted Mitch McConnell and let him know that he'll be getting mucho support from me for his actions this last week.

Bunning is up for reelection this year. A couple of bucks in his pocket will probably make more of an impact than with Mitch (who has until 2008). Although neither one of them is really a problem from what I can tell.

I'll be swinging by Bunning's local office tomorrow with a check & let them know the only reason that I stopped by was this.

Greg

 

[Spark]

Greg, when you stop by, tell him another local businessman is going to support him as well.

 

[aquapong]

It wasn't Lugar that surprised me...but rather it was Bayh. When he voted for the AWB, I was swearing up and down at my monitor. I can't believe that puke sold us out. I'm saying us collectively, not only Indianans. He was supposed to be on our side of the AWB debate.

 

[emc]

Aqua, you might want to do some checking on Bayh's voting record. Whenever it has come down to something that is significant, my observations are that he has consistently voted with party leadership. He ran his campaign in 1988 with the catchphrase "Hoosier Values." However, that did not stop him from voting with the other Democrats to acquit Clinton during the impeachment. The same situation applies to other votes, as well. As a governor, he was never in a position where his liberal proclivities had the opportunity to show themselves. In the Senate, he has shown himself to be a puppet of the Democrat leadership. There are a number of governmental scandals that were created while he was in office here, such as the Family and Social Services Administration department within the Indiana state government. The corruption there is endemic, based upon some very good sources that I have within state government. Of course, these did not come to light until after he left office. Rather convenient, eh?

So, to sum up, neither of our senators are worth a damn. At this point in time, there isn't much difference in their voting records, other than the fact that Lugar has a more extensive voting record. Both of them need to be replaced.

 

[emc]

Spark, when you called Lugar's office and informed him of your decision, what did the staffer say when you finished?

As others have suggested, I urge you to follow up your telephone call with a memo echoing those comments written on company letterhead. I also suggest that you send a copy of that letter to the headquarters of the Indiana chapter of the Republican party.

Overall, these are my experiences with Lugar:

1. When calling to inquire as to what his stance is on a given topic, the staffer taking comments without exception states that the senator has not made up his mind. Clearly this is a lie, but that is what they are apparently told to say.

2. I believe that Lugar at this point in time feels that he does not need the support of gunowners. He can vote against us to his heart's content and not have to worry about it, for several reasons. First, not all gun owners know what he's doing, and what he has done. The level of ignorance is astounding. Secondly, the gun owners will not vote their conscience and express their opposition to him.

3. Third, the local Republican party bosses are pretty much trained lapdogs who really don't care what positions a candidate espouses, as long as he can win. Ideology takes a back seat to winning. These people are NOT second amendment supporters.

4. Due to #3 above, there hasn't been any effective opposition to Lugar. The party bosses just won't support any alternative candidates within the party.

5. Lugar takes advantage of his position with the party bosses and a largely worthless local media (print & broadcast) to disguise the fact that the conservative mask that he wears while visiting Indiana (he lives full time in Washington as most of these people do) helps to obscure the center-left voting record that he has established over the years.

6. At this point in time, I do believe that we need to mount some form of campaign to motivate and to mobilize conservatives and gunowners to get them to vote, and to make it clear to the party bosses that if they don't either rein in Lugar or replace him that we will start to withhold financial and ballot box support for other Republican candidates. After this much time has elapsed, I don't think that Lugar will change his spots. He LIKES being there in Washington, and playing to a diverse but overwhelmingly liberal east coast establishment and media.

At any rate, one man's opinion.....

FWIW,

emc

 

[burbanite]

Originally posted by aquapong:

It wasn't Lugar that surprised me...but rather it was Bayh. When he voted for the AWB, I was swearing up and down at my monitor. I can't believe that puke sold us out. I'm saying us collectively, not only Indianans. He was supposed to be on our side of the AWB debate.

aquapong, I don't know where you got the idea he was anti AWB, he has always stated his support for it. Bayh is already on my s**tlist, Lugar is a turncoat pure and simple, they both need to be shown that there are consequences for their actions. Even my kids understand that concept.



"Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 4:47 PM
Subject: From the Office of Senator Evan Bayh


February 24, 2004


Mr. ***** *****
145 ~~~~~ Street
=========, Indiana

Dear Mr. *****:

Thank you for your letter concerning the reauthorization of the
Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. I welcome your thoughts and comments.

The primary purpose of any gun control legislation must be to
keep firearms out of the hands of criminals or juveniles. Throughout my
public life, I have opposed legislation that fails to appropriately balance
the need to maintain a safe society with the ability of law-abiding
Americans to own and use firearms responsibly. I have always
supported the second amendment and have opposed efforts to impose
burdensome regulations on gun-owners. I believe that tough and
effective enforcement of existing firearms laws is the best way to save
lives.

As you may know, the Assault Weapons Ban passed as part of
the 1994 Crime Bill. This legislation prohibited the manufacture,
transfer or possession of 19 specifically named assault weapons, all
semi-automatic rifles and pistols that can accept a detachable magazine
and have at least two features outlined by the statute, and all large-
feeding ammunition devices. The Assault Weapons Ban will expire
after September 14, 2004 unless Congress and the President approve the
reauthorization of the law before this date.

While I was not a member of the Congress when this ban was
passed, I do plan to support the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons
Ban. In a post September 11th world, we simply cannot increase the
difficulties faced by our law enforcement community in keeping our
nation safe by allowing assault weapons to land in the hands of violent
criminals or would-be terrorists.
However, I would be reluctant to support efforts that would expand the
scope of this legislation or undermine the right of law-abiding citizens to
bear arms.

Thank you for taking the time to advise me on this important
matter. I value your input and hope that you will continue to share your
thoughts with me.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope that the information
that I have provided is helpful. My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can
provide additional details about legislation and state projects, and you
can also sign up to receive my monthly e-newsletter, The Bayh Bulletin,
by clicking on the link at the top of my homepage. I value your input
and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues important
to you.


Best wishes,

Evan Bayh
United States Senator