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My name is John Loughlin and I am a 3-term State Representative representing District 71 in the Rhode Island General Assembly, which comprises Little Compton, Tiverton, and Portsmouth. I consider myself a life-long Rhode Islander. I grew up in Portsmouth and Lincoln, and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1977. I became an Eagle Scout in Troop 1, Pawtucket, one of my proudest achievements.
I live in Tiverton, have been happily married to the former Susan Brush of Scituate for more than 21 years. I have two daughters, Victoria, age 20, who is a senior in college; and 9-year old Carrie, who will be going into the 5th grade.
I own and operate a small business which creates video productions for both industry and commercial clients. I am a retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who flew helicopters during my time in the military and was twice called to active duty, once for service in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995 and most recently during the run-up to the Iraq war. There I led a team of field grade officers to train brigade and battalion staff officers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2003.
I am honored and proud of my service both as an Army officer and as an elected official in Rhode Island. I have worked hard to build consensus across party lines. In fact, I was so successful at working with rivals that I ran unopposed for re-election in 2006 and 2008, which is almost unheard of for a Republican in this very blue state.
Like many of you, I often complained that there has never been a serious challenge to Congressman Patrick Kennedy for the honor of representing Rhode Island in the U.S. Congress. Time after time the Rhode Island Republican Party put up weak candidates with no real political experience and the result has been that Congressman Kennedy has coasted to re-election year after year.
Again, like many of you, I have been disappointed by the extremely liberal agenda represented by Congressman Kennedy. He has consistently voted more than 99.5% of the time with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and liberal leadership of the U.S. Congress. Our Congressman has been supported by, and voted for the agenda of the liberal establishment. This voting record has resulted in a rating of 100% by the American Civil Liberties Union, 100% by the National Abortion Rights League, and 100% by the powerful union, the NEA.
Congressman Kennedy ranks at the very bottom of organizations that represent hard working Rhode Islanders and ordinary taxpayers, such as a zero by Americans for Tax Reform, an 'F' by National Taxpayer's Union, and a 1% rating by Citizens Against Government Waste. In fact, the National Taxpayer's Union recently bestowed Congressman Kennedy the title, "Biggest Spender in Rhode Island" because his tax and spending record is the worst of our Federal delegation. That's your money, you worked hard for it, shouldn't you keep more of it?
I believe Rhode Islanders have had enough of his big spending. Perhaps that's why, in the most recent Brown University poll, only 42% of Rhode Islanders approved of his job performance.
Every time you see him on the 6 o'clock news here in Rhode Island touting another so-called "stimulus" program remember that those dollars are borrowed from the Chinese government and will have to be paid back by our children and grandchildren in the form of higher and higher taxes!
I believe the Federal government should reduce spending and give you back your money. It was proven time and again that the best way to stimulate the economy is to cut taxes, not have the government spend your money on programs dictated by special interests. Ironically, it was Patrick Kennedy's uncle, the late President John F. Kennedy, who said, "Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield an increased - not a reduced - flow of revenues to the Federal government."
So it is for the reasons stated above, after close consultation with family, friends, and advisors, that I have decided to begin the process of providing Rhode Islanders in the First Congressional District with a real choice in November of 2010.
Patrick once bragged to a room full of supporters the he never worked a %&$#$@ day in his life. My advice to the Congressman? Start looking! Of course when he took office in 1995, unemployment in the First Congressional District was 5.8%. After 15 years of Kennedy style liberalism it's almost double that and second worse in the Nation, so he might have a hard time finding his first job.
To win this race I will need to raise a significant amount of money. Money that will be used to create and buy radio, television, and outdoor billboard advertising. We'll need everything from buttons to bumper stickers to lawn signs to put on a credible campaign.
I don't have the ability to tap into the Hollywood elite to fund my campaign, but I do have a secret weapon - you. With a small donation of just $25.00, $40.00, $50.00, or even $100.00 you can make a huge difference. If you are able to contribute more, that would be great. I have provided a web link to make your donation as easy as possible.Just click on this text and follow the prompts.
If you would prefer, you can mail a check to: Friends of John Loughlin, PO Box 244, Adamsville, RI 02801.
Public service was never intended to be a career choice or some family birthright. Public services is designed to be just that, a brief period for patriots to give back to the state and country they love.
Please help me provide the voters of the First Congressional District a choice for real change in November of 2010. Thank you and may God bless you.
Sincerely,
John Loughlin
Friends of John Loughlin
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