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“Governor Sarah Palin is a great choice for Senator John McCain.  She has a strong record of accomplishment as Governor of Alaska, has a reputation for being a fiscal conservative who has made tough decisions and cut spending, and has worked to pass landmark ethics reforms in her state.  She is a proven reformer who will appeal to undecided voters and has a uniquely American personal story.  The voters of the Sixth District will find her a well qualified candidate who shares their values of energy independence, personal responsibility, and a strong national defense.” 

Energy prices are soaring and Virginia families are feeling the impact from the gas pump to the grocery store.  Skyrocketing energy prices and dependence on foreign sources of energy pose a grave threat to our nation’s security and economic stability.  

Gaining our independence from foreign sources of energy requires bipartisan cooperation and the recognition that our economy’s lifeblood remains tied to traditional sources of energy, most notably oil, natural gas and clean coal.  Just as the energy crisis we face has not emerged overnight, we must recognize that solutions will be found both in the short term with traditional energy sources and conservation, and in the long term with new technology, new fuels, and the uniquely American ingenuity.  

Our government must pursue policies that foster increased production of vast oil and natural gas reserves here in the United States in places like ANWR, the large oil shale fields of Colorado and Utah, and the deep ocean fields off our coasts.  This includes developing new refineries and clean coal plants.   These traditional sources can be supplemented with U.S. produced fuels like bio-diesel and non-subsidized ethanol, and by harnessing the power of wind and solar energy, and increasing our use of nuclear power.

With a diverse, affordable energy portfolio, our economy will remain vibrant and Americans will continue to enjoy the uniquely American freedom of choice, opportunity and quality of life we’ve always enjoyed while our economy transitions to the fuels and technologies of the future.  

President Bush recently signed an executive order lifting a 27-year old federal ban on offshore drilling.  I commend the President for this action which is overwhelmingly supported by the American people.   Democrats in Congress must now follow the President’s lead.  

Please join me in calling on the Democratic leadership in Congress to heed the will of the American people and cooperate with the President and Republicans to address our energy crisis by signing my online petition.  Just as talk of levying excessive taxes on oil companies and posturing about nationalizing the oil industry won’t produce an additional drop of gasoline, election year rhetoric and obstruction won’t help the millions of Americans struggling with high gas prices.   Americans need solutions, not rhetoric.  Those solutions are waiting to be tapped.  Energy independence begins here.

Tonight I got to spend some time at the Churchville Lawn Party and Parade.  Thank you to all of the volunteers and Delegate Chris Saxman who came and walked with me and Maryellen.  Below are a few pictures from the parade.

I applaud yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court affirming what we’ve all known–that the Second Amendment protects the right of every law abiding American to own and possess a firearm.  This decision is truly a landmark one and a major victory for the principles of individual liberty articulated by our Founding Fathers—principles that have made our nation the freest, greatest, and most unique in the history of the world.

As clear and fundamental as this right is to most of us, for years liberals have worked to redefine our understanding of the Constitution and distort the words: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  With yesterday’s decision, Americans living in Washington, D.C. and other communities will no longer have their Constitutional rights trampled by unconstitutional gun bans and restrictions.

While yesteray’s decision is a major victory for the Constitution and individual liberty, we must remember it was decided by a 5 to 4 margin.  Four activist justices voted to deny Second Amendment protections to individual citizens.  Liberals will undoubtedly redouble their efforts to undermine our Second Amendment rights. 

The next President will likely make several appointments to the Supreme Court.  That is why it is imperative we elect a President and Members of Congress who will appoint and confirm justices to the federal courts that respect our Constitution and interpret the law rather than write it.       

Despite yesterday’s ruling, we must remain vigilant and proactive to protect our Constitution. Those bent on rewriting portions of it to reflect their political ideology are sure to continue their efforts.  I will continue to fight to protect our Constitutional rights and work to see the confirmation of more judges in the mold of those who issued today’s majority opinion protecting our right to bear arms. 

Today is one of those defining days that show the major differences between Democrats and Republicans.

Instead of bringing to the floor of Congress a bill to help American families deal with the rising cost of gas or a clean Troop Funding Bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats voted in favor of the largest tax increase in American history.  Their $683 Billion tax hike will hurt working class families extremely hard.

The Associated Press says that the bill passed by Democrats will raise taxes on Americans making as little as $31, 850. Their plan, which I was proud to vote against, will hit 116 million taxpayers with an average tax hike of $1,833.  The bill will also cut the child tax credit in half which will hurt families with children, raise taxes on Seniors and working Americans who are investing in their future, and will reinstate the Marriage Penalty which will force married couples to pay higher taxes than if they filed as individuals.

At a time when Americans are struggling to pay higher gas prices and the sluggish economy is hurting our families, the best plan the Democrats in Congress have come up with is an enormous tax increase on our families.  The only rationale for such a policy is that the Democrats, as is often the case, simply want to spend more of your money while ignoring the real issues that impact our lives.

There are big differences between Republicans and Democrats and I need your help to point out those differences. I need you to join my campaign. Please contact the Field Director in your area to find out how you can help.

If you live in Augusta, Highland, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Staunton, Waynesboro or Harrisonburg please contact Julie Daniel at JDaniel@BobGoodlatte.com

If you live in Alleghany, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Rockbridge, Lynchburg, Buena Vista, Covington, or Lexington please contact Annie Celotto at ACelotto@BobGoodlatte.com

If you live in Roanoke, Roanoke City, Salem, or Botetourt please contact Tim Edson at TEdson@BobGoodlatte.com

If you would like to join Students for Goodlatte, Veterans for Goodlatte, Sportsmen for Goodlatte or any other coalition group, please contact Brandon Moore at Brandon@BobGoodlatte.com

Thank you for your continued support for my campaign.

-Bob

Virginia’s families are feeling the pinch of rising gas prices and recent talk of $4 a gallon prices are of great concern to me.  I believe immediate action needs to be taken to address this issue.  Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress have failed to show leadership.

Two years ago Nancy Pelosi and Democrat candidates across the country promised the American people that they had a plan to reduce gas prices and it would be their top priority.

• “Democrats have a plan to lower gas prices…” - Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):  Release, 4/18/06)

• “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices….“  - Nancy Pelosi (Release, 4/24/06)

• “Democrats believe that we can do more for the American people who are struggling to deal with high gas prices.…” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD):  (Release, 10/4/05)

• “House Democrats have a plan to help curb rising gas prices.” - Democrat Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC):  (Online Town Hall Meeting, 7/26/06)

On January 4, 2007 when Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker, the national average for a gallon of gas was $2.33.  Today, according to AAA, the national average is $3.831 a gallon.  That’s a 60% increase!  Americans can’t afford the Pelosi Premium.

While gas prices have continued to climb, the Democrats continue to just talk about solving the problem.  The American people deserve leadership that will follow through on their promises.  Watch this video to learn more.

The only idea Democrats have offered is to increase taxes on American energy producers which will send good-paying jobs overseas and further increase our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  Even more shocking, the legislation Democrats passed that would increase taxes on American energy producers, exempted Venezuelan oil giant, CITGO, just as Venezuela’s dictator Hugo Chavez is threatening to cut off energy supplies to the U.S.

Abundant and affordable energy and energy conservation are the keys to a strong economy.  Until alternative fuel technology becomes more affordable and convenient, our cars, our jobs, and our economic growth will run on traditional energy sources, like oil, natural gas and clean burning coal.  We should encourage environmentally sound ways to find and use more of these resources in our own country. We must diversify our energy supplies with alternative fuels, including renewable energy from our farms and forests but we must do so without the government mandates and subsidies that are driving the cost of food and animal feed up as we produce more and more ethanol from corn.  We should develop a renewable policy where the government incentivizes the development of new technologies but does not mandate the use of any particular fuel, like corn-based ethanol, which drives up costs for consumers.

For several years now I have called on President Bush to stop pumping oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so that more gas could remain on the market and available to American families.  Over 65 Members of Congress have joined me in this effort and I am pleased that this action is finally being taken.  While this will increase the amount of gas available, we need long term solutions to our energy needs.  I believe that the Democrats in Congress must join with Republicans in bringing ANWR online, authorize development of our deep ocean oil resources, and remove the restrictions for commercial oil shale leases on federal properties. We need to look for long term solutions, something the Democrats in Congress do not appear to understand or want to do.

- Bob

On Friday afternoon I attended the Grand Opening of the Rockbridge Area Republican Party Headquaters.  The new HQ is located at 203 South Main Street - Lexington, Virginia.  I want to thank Bob James and the members of the Rockbridge County Republican Committee for setting up this office and providing a location for people to come and get information about candidates, pick up voter registration forms, and volunteer their time. 

- Bob

Thank you for checking out my online campaign headquarters. Through this site you can sign up for e-mail alerts, find out additional information about me and our campaign, and learn more about Virginia 6th Congressional District.

I have had the great honor of serving as your Congressman and I hope that I have earned your trust and support. I have worked tirelessly over the years to reduce the tax burden on our families, provide our local law enforcement officers the tools they need to keep our communities safe, rein in wasteful government spending, and assist those who are having problems with our federal government. I have had the opportunity to meet many of you and I hope that in the weeks and months ahead we can continue to talk about the issues that are important to our community.

I humbly ask for your support to continue to serve as your Congressman and protect our shared values in the United States Congress.

- Bob Goodlatte