Congressman Allen B. West, FL-22 sworn into Congress !!

Congressman Allen West  is sworn in to the 112th Congress (Washington, D.C) On this historic day in our nation’s history, Congressman Allen West (R-FL)has been officially sworn in to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the 112th Congress. “I am humbled and honored to be a part of this historic body of Congress,” West said. “I have been given the trust of the constituents of the 22nd district of Florida.  I will not let them down   Accompanied by his two teenage daughters, Aubrey and Austen, and his wife Angela, West placed his hand on the bible and was asked to take the oath of Congress by newly elected Speaker of the House, John Boehner. “South Floridians elected me with expectations that I will come to Washington and fight for what is important to them,” West said.  “My first priorities will be turning around this disastrous economy,  limiting government spending, and national security.” West has accepted appointments to the House Armed Services Committee and the Small Business Committee. “Today is a day I will never forget,” West said.  “I spent 22 years wearing the uniform of a United States soldier fighting for this country.  I may be in a different kind of uniform today, but my willingness to do whatever it takes to protect Americans remains the same.” Thank you for all you have done for Congressman West!

Rep-Elect Allen B. West, “This Liberal-Progressive Agenda Is Antithesis of Who We Are”

in case you missed it, Representative-Elect Allen West spoke with  Chris Wallace of FOX News Sunday on January 2, 2011

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Congressman Allen. B West’s Weekly Wrap-Up (December 2010)

Greetings Patriots!

Greetings to all of you who shall receive this weekly missive. What a week, as we draw closer to a very Merry Christmas.

We received our Congressional committee assignments this past week, and I was humbly pleased to secure positions on the House Armed Services and Small Business committees. These two committees will afford me the ability to serve America by protecting our military and also the foundational economic engine for our country, small businesses.

In keeping with the latter, I also had the chance to visit several places that promote job creation and opportunity in our South Florida community. First, I had an impressive tour at the main campus of Keiser University in Ft. Lauderdale. During the tour, I learned how the Obama administration is attacking “for profit” education institutions. Next, I had a breakfast with members of the Ft. Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. After that, I went to the groundbreaking for the United Technologies Test Fire and Safety site at the Pratt Whitney, Sikorsky campus. During the tour of Pratt Whitney, I had a chance to walk through the Blackhawk helicopter assembly line…brought back some great memories!

Also very memorable, was my attendance at the annual Holocaust Survivors luncheon, held in Boca Raton at Temple B’nai Torah. I cannot even begin to express the emotion of being with those who suffered through such a horrific ordeal. In my remarks to the crowd, I stressed my firm commitment that “never again” means exactly that. It is a message which America must clearly send to the despots, dictators, autocrats, and theocrats who threaten the modern State of Israel, which we rededicated in 1948…but has existed for 5771 years.

There were a couple of events this week which were simply fun to do. The first was Thursday evening in Jupiter where I spoke to the Palm Beach Sheriffs Office SWAT annual Holiday dinner. I told these brave men and women that they are the everyday guardians of our community and examples of leadership. Being in that room with them reminded me of what it means in America to be exceptional…..and a hat tip to SWAT Captain Robert Allen.

On Friday morning, I visited the high school of my oldest daughter, Aubrey, and talked with several Senior classes on our current economic situation. These young people are far more attuned and savvy than we were back in 1979 when I was a high school senior!

Also this week, I sent a letter to GOP Majority Leader-Elect Eric Cantor referencing the 2011 House calendar pertaining to it only having 123 days for us to be in session on Capitol Hill. Perhaps I have come from a different background, but I truly believe that the desperation and criticality of these times demand greater exertions from those elected to serve America. We shall see if the calendar is adjusted.

On December 14th my wife Angela celebrated another birthday…and I am not so stupid as to say how many. It is always a nice time for Aubrey and Austen to sing to Angela and express their love…..no, I do not sing and my love had better be expressed in a gift!

December 14th will now also have another significance for me…in memory of someone that I have never met and did not know…but yet I am bonded to forever. It was the day that Marine Lance Corporal Jose A. Hernandez, of Lake Worth, Florida, lost his life in Afghanistan. Hernandez would have turned 20 years old this coming week. On Friday night I was privileged to attend, along with Angela and former Congressman Mark Foley, the beach side candlelight vigil for this young warrior who gave the last full measure of devotion.

The following morning, the sacrifices of this young Marine were immediately apparent. We turned over almost a thousand toys to Marine Reserve Non-Commissioned Officers for the Toys for Tots program. The service of Lance Corporal Hernandez means we live in a Country where we are free to give to those less fortunate. We live in a Country where warriors such as our Marines can serve on distant battlefields and yet show their kind benevolence towards those who are less fortunate here in America.

May my Warrior Brother requiem en pace…………

In keeping with the theme of sacrifice, our family attended the 27th Annual First Baptist Church of Ft. Lauderdale Christmas pageant. The wonderful evening full of spectacular singing and performances reminds us of what Christmas truly means. It is the time to remember that “God so loved us all that he gave us His only begotten Son”. This is the most special gift of sacrifice for those of us who are looking for that which will fill the spiritual void in our lives.

We must understand that there is nowhere in our founding documents where separation of church and state is mentioned. It is a reference to a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist minister alluding to our country never having a head of state which is also the head of church. Separation of Church and State does not mean the separation of faith from the individual. Many thanks to Pastor Larry Thompson and First Baptist Church of Ft Lauderdale for an incredible pageant event.

Also, thanks to my own Pastor, Scott Eynon of Community Christian Church in Tamarac, for calling me this week just to say he was keeping me in his prayers!

Something to watch out for! My appearance on Israel TV January 18th on the number one English language show in Israel, “Tuesday Night Live in Israel.” The show is broadcast throughout all of South Florida on Comcast, Atlantic Broadband and on JLTV on DIRECTV, and into 26 million homes nationwide. I had the chance and be interviewed with the show’s host, Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel on Sunday while he was in town briefly. The taping will be aired on the January 18th show-which by the way will be taped live in America- in Ft. Lauderdale.

In closing, I would like to offer my congratulations to President Barack Hussein Obama for coming to grips with the reality check of November 2, 2010. His efforts to ensure that the American people will not have a huge tax increase on 1 January is to be commended. However, we in the 112th Congress shall work hard to end the necessity of unemployment checks before the 13 month extension point. Furthermore, we look forward to working with the President on creating effective, efficient, and limited federal government as we curtail spending and reduce the size and scope of a bloated, redundant, and duplicitous Washington DC.

Lastly, just a final thought…the past two years have seen the highest amount of casualties in Afghanistan, we have ten of our Warriors sitting in prison at Ft Leavenworth, North Korea has sunk a South Korean naval vessel and fired 200 artillery rounds into South Korea, Iran marches on towards reaching nuclear capability, our borders are unsecure and a border patrol agent was just killed as Mexico begins to resemble Iraq or Afghanistan………..and the most important Strategic defense issue for the lame duck Congress was to repeal the policy called “Dont Ask, Dont Tell”.

My priorities will be to ensure the enemy which killed LCPL Jose A Hernandez gets killed, whereever he exists……my concern is not making our military conform to individual behavior. However, the liberal left of this lame duck Congress, and some misguided Republicans, are truly more concerned with whom members of our fighting force sleep and appeasing, at a last gasp, impertinent special interest groups.

Utterly disturbing, totally pathetic.

Steadfast and Loyal,

Allen





VICTORY: Lt. Col. (Ret) Allen B. West is going to Washington!

November 2, 2010. We Won! Thank you Florida. Thank you America!

Lt. Col. Allen B. West (Ret) has been elected to Congress by the 22nd Congressional District in Florida. Praise God!

This fabulous American has been elected as one of two black members of Congress from the Southern States; the first since the Reconstruction of 1876 and according to Pete Hegseth at Weekly Standard,we now have  “six Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (who) were elected to Congress (and possibly seven, if Jesse Kelly pulls out his race in Arizona’s 8th district)” !

It’s about time!!

Those of us who formed a National “Go West For Allen West “support team here at ” Go West” in 2008 are not only thrilled that Allen is “Going To Washington”, but feel strongly there’s more in the future for this man than just Congress. He’s only just begun!

Here’s our video of Allen’s Victory Speech (thanks to Michael Ackerman)

Videographer: Michael Ackerman
Editor: Pamela Hall

And here are some wonderful pictures of the joyful celebration.

And here’s some  video from  WPTV News

and Fox News

Stayed tuned. We have only just begun …..

Washingtoons: “The Politics of Character Assassination

Washingtoons

Sat, 18 Sept 2010

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret)

“The Politics of Character Assassination”

“If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside”…..Eleventh Rule of Tactics

“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it”……Thirteenth Rule of Tactics

Greetings my fellow riders, South Floridians, and all Americans, it is time for our monthly political assessment. First, I just want to thank you all for your support during the August primary election….as well thanks for coming up and telling me how you appreciate this column.

The two quotes from above did not come from any brilliant military strategist. They come from the book written by Saul Alinsky entitled, “Rules for Radicals; A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals”. This book was written in 1971 by Mr Alinsky, a Chicago native, and has been referred to by many members of the Democrat party, some rather senior. The book’s tone is set right from the beginning with its author’s acknowledgement to “the first radical known to man”, Lucifer.

I truly believe the major story which dominates this election season is that of character assassination. We are seeing less of an ideological debate on the prescient issues affecting our Republic between contenders. This has seemingly been replaced by the ever intensifying 11th and 13th rules from Alinsky’s book. The fact that many incumbents are using their vast campaign coffers, not to present their case, but rather demonize their opponents is becoming more apparent.

I hate to think that Americans are contributing to campaigns to see their hard earned money to be used in such a petty manner, something this campaign shall never do.

As well, we witness daily the print, online, and televised media sources that have chosen their targets and in my estimation, fire volley upon volley of verbal artillery. Yes, this may have been the case all along but I believe you would agree that this has become modus operandi in the current American political scene. It is as though the objective analysis of the issues has been replaced by hearty partisan cheerleading, especially where we had trusted our media to be objective.

In this current election cycle I must admit that I am constantly amazed at the vicious attacks against the conservative American grassroots movement called, “The Tea Party”. I had no idea what the term “tea bagger” meant and when I was enlightened, well, I was appalled. This movement has completely restructured the political scene of the 2010 midterm elections. I find it interesting that most people who I meet that speak out against the Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party has never attended an event….they just repeat media talking points.

In my 6-7 speaking engagements at Tea Party events I have just found concerned Americans who want to restore Constitutional principles and want leaders who will abide by those foundational principles. What is happening is that this movement is supporting candidates that they are willing to take a chance with regardless of their not having the approved “political establishment” credentials. I thought the Constitution was very clear on the requirements to run for political office in America.

However, what we find is the vehement attacks levied against this movement and candidates they support. We have seen the use of countless derogatory references, which often are proven untrue. But, if you tell a lie enough, eventually it can, or will, be considered the truth.

We saw this play out wholeheartedly in the GOP nomination of Christine O’Donnell in the Delaware primary. What was amazing for many who are also GOP nominees was the horrific response from the Republican party establishment to her nomination. When some were pressed they conceded that Congressman Castle was preferred because they felt he could win. It begs the question, is it more important to win with no principles than to stand for something? That is the question the Republican party had soon answer unless they seek to steal defeat from the jaws of victory.

This is where I ask the question, what is a moderate? What are the principles and values of a moderate? America cannot be led by individuals who awake each day and decide, based upon political winds, what their values are? My Mother , Elizabeth Thomas West, had a great maxim she taught me, “a Man must stand for something, or else he will fall for anything”. The failures of “moderates” as leaders can be seen in California and even here in our home state of Florida…..where unemployment just rose.

The lesson from the O’Donnell primary victory is that the people will take the risk that is principled, than a perceived victory that is not.

And then there is the vile means by which the liberal left has defined campaigning in this cycle. Early on DNC Chairman Tim Kaine made it clear this was not going to be about the liberal progressive socialist legislative agenda, truly indefensible. Instead it would be about attacking the individual and false branding, so instead of meeting on the battleground of ideological ideas this season has turned into a bad National Enquirer reality show. The negative TV ads, personal attacks based upon lies and half information, and the purposeful hiding of most incumbents are becoming the standard for this election cycle.

What this all evidences is a desperation among a ruling class of political elites who wish not to be challenged and certainly wish not to lose power.

This reminds me of a great quote from one of our Founding Fathers, “Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens” (George Mason, 17 June 1788, Virginia Ratifying Convention).

The real impetus behind the politics of character assassination is control. Control by a group forming a new American “Politburo” who no longer find themselves willing to return to the general mass of the people. Control by a group of career political elites who feel they know what is best for all of us and are not willing to participate in our burdens. Control by a group that is certainly not compelled to regard the interest of their constituents, which has been replaced by their own personal interest and special interest.

The politics of character assassination in the 2010 midterm election cycle is about the DC political establishment feeling it slipping away. What was once referred to as “astroturf” is now having a recognized impact. What was once considered a playground for certain individuals is now open to us all. And what frustrates the pundits the most? They cannot clearly define this movement and attack it because of its loose decentralized nature….kinda resembles what frustrated the British back when 13 unorganized colonies stood up to them……led by Men of Principle.

In this election cycle, shall we stand with principled men and women who will risk themselves and their families? Or shall we believe the lies and politics of character assassination from the ruling masters of Washington DC?

Yes, I am currently experiencing the politics of character assassination but my response is a familiar one…….“Give me Liberty or Give me Death” but I will not succumb nor surrender my Country, the United States of America.

Steadfast and Loyal,

LTC(R) Allen B West

September “Washingtoons”: The Voice from Rome

18 August 2010

“Washingtoons”

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Retired)

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. George Santayana

“Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it”. Sir Winston Churchill

Greetings fellow bikers, South Floridians, and indeed all my fellow Americans who shall read this missive. It is again time for another venture into the realm of American politics. There is so much which I could easily assess but I think that right now we need a simple history lesson.

The lead quotes come from two Men who were visionary in those simple words which they left for us all. I find in being a student of history that most of the things a Nation, or sometimes individuals, experience can be traced back to some period in earlier times. I do believe that history does repeat itself in revolving cycles, due to the ignorance of those who refuse to study it.

As we analyze our most critical issue in America, truly the world, it comes down to economic/fiscal principles and policies. As a career military officer I remember the first books we were mandated to read as Second Lieutenants; Rommels, “Attacks” and Sun Tzu’s, “Art of War”. Later we read the strategic writings of Carl von Clausewitz, Jomini, and studied the campaigns of Alexander and Hannibal.

Why was that important?

During Operation Desert Shield/Storm the quick demise of the Iraqi Army came due to the tactic of envelopment. One of the earliest recorded uses of that tactic came during the Second Punic War of the Carthaginians against the Romans at the Battle of Cannae. It was conceived and executed by Hannibal.

It is therefore not too amazing that I was able to find a fundamental quote from ancient history which we shall use as a basis for this month’s piece.

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance”. Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC

The budget should be balanced.

It is amazing to me that we are in the 21st century in America and yet our federal government is operating without an authorized budget. This is one of the primary responsibilities of the House of Representatives. How many of us could run our households our businesses without a definitive budget to guide our resources, and especially maintain cognizance of expenditures? This is why we must have not only a budget but we must institute a balanced budget amendment for our federal government. This is the first step toward fiscal disciple and stopping the floodgates of wasteful government spending.

The treasury should be refilled.

We are living under a guiding economic philosophy rooted in Keynesian theory, in other words, spend your way out of an economic morass. What that results in are insidious “stimulus” packages which all one needs to do is study Japan’s recession to see that policy will only extend the periods of recession. Where taxation is lightest revenues increase and that is due to the unleashing of innovation, ingenuity, and investment. However, we are about to see the largest tax increase in American history as we allow the tax cuts to expire (and dont believe the liberal progressives as the expired cuts will affect every tax bracket). There will be an increase in dividends tax, increase in capital gains tax, the return of the death tax, the child tax credit will be cut in half, and the alternative minimum tax population will go from 4 to 28 million.

This is not how you refill the treasury, although Secretary Timothy “tax cheat” Geithner believes that printing more currency is a method. It will be the indomitable American entrepreneur, and small business leaders,  who will restore long term economic growth, refilling of the treasury, in America. When public sector, government, compensations are double that of the private sector, the treasury will not be refilled.

Public debt should be reduced.

I do not think we need to say too much on this; seeing that our curent national debt is somewhere near $14 Trillion. Every man, woman, and child in America would have to write a check for approximately $47K in order to erase this debt. The most troubling aspect is that a foreign nation holds much of that debt which adversely affects our foreign policy stance. This disease also finds itself permeating through our society where individual responsibility and accountability has become a forgotten premise. In the days of my parents we had “layaway”, you did not get the commodity until you could afford it. This ideal needs to be resurrected….and the idea of gross deficit spending buried.

The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled.

We are witnessing the development of a Soviet style Politburo in America, led by ruling class political elites. One need only gaze upon Congressman Charlie Rangel, a poster child for term limits, to apply this lesson from Cicero. It was never the intent of our Founding Fathers to have create career politicians, they were meant to be servants, representatives. It was the intent of our founders that Americans of every walk of life would give of their time and talents to do the business of legislating for our Constitutional Republic…..then go home and live under those same laws.

And the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome becomes bankrupt.

Just replace Rome and insert America as we are nearing that dubious description, fearfully so. While assigned in Afghanistan I saw the preeminent example of this just to the east in Pakistan. We are embroiled in failing nation-building strategies. We find ourselves assisting foreign militaries such as in Lebanon, where Hezbollah exists, and their training results in deaths of our Israeli Defense Force allies…….and we have curtailed support to the IDF, while providing fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

America must develop a long term strategic vision, not election cycle soundbite policies, which promote our economic growth as an instrument of our national power.

People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.

Conservatives believe in providing a safety net for our citizens, liberals offer a hammock. To hear the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, state that, unemployment checks are a means to stimulate an economy and create jobs is laughable….ok, doggone scary. America is not about creating victims and expanding a dependent, entitlement class, yet that is where we find ourselves. We have a Congress, which under the control of Pelosi and the liberal progressives, has seen unemployment in America go from 4.7% in Jan 2007 to a high point this year of 9.8%. The public sector is not how we solve unemployment.

However, it must be clear to all in America that the goal of the liberal progressives is to have a majority of Americans wedded to government by subsistence or employment check…the end of the free market.

As our children prepare to head back to school, lets us learn some lessons and do our homework. Cicero also stated, “the more laws, the less justice” and Thomas Jefferson counseled, “a government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take it all away”.

And all it takes is for every America to study Cordova and what happened there in 711 AD to understand the relevance to the present day acquiesence and submission some would allow.

We have a test coming up in America on Tuesday 2 November 2010, it may end up being our Final Exam.

Will we fail or pass with flying colors? The choice is yours, remember the Voice of Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero.

Steadfast and Loyal,

LTC(R) Allen B West

From Allen B. West, “Will Ron Klein take a stand against the Ground Zero Mosque?”

Dear Fellow Patriots,This morning I delivered the following letter to Congressman Ron Klein, requestinghis bi-partisan support in taking a stand against the proposed Mosque at Ground Zero.  I hope you will echo my sentiments to him, as it is essential that we not allow this mosque to be built on the hallowed ground where thousands of our fellow countrymen lost their lives.Steadfast and Loyal, Allen B. West LETTER ATTACHED BELOW ___________________________________________________________ August 18, 2010 Dear Congressman Klein, Last week, President Obama made the following comment regarding the proposed mosque at Ground Zero: “As President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country…and that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan.” As a student of history, and as someone who has stared down our Radical Islamic enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know full well the enemy we currently face and the challenges we are up against.  The Constitution allows for freedom of religion; however, this proposed mosque goes beyond the First Amendment. I’m not saying a mosque cannot be built in the United States, or even in New York City. But considering the myriad of external influences that are behind the funding of this so-called Islamic cultural center and mosque (including a tax-payer-funded trip for Imam Abdul Rauf to fly abroad as an “emissary” of the U.S. to raise funds for this project), as well as the fact that the location is sacred ground for millions of New Yorkers and Americans alike, this mosque should not be built. The good people of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District deserve to hear where their Congressman stands on this important issue. I have made my stance clear – I do not support the building of this mosque in its present location. I am asking you to join with me in telling President Obama that the residents of this Congressional District oppose building the mosque at Ground Zero.  Our message can be simple: “The constituents of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District want to register the strongest possible objection to the building of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero.  While there is much Ron Klein and I disagree on, we both recognize the importance to South Floridians – and all Americans – that the hallowed ground in Lower Manhattan is not a place for an Islamic cultural center and mosque. Furthermore, we believe your enthusiastic endorsement of the building of the mosque symbolizes a clear victory in the eyes of those who brought down the twin towers, while further alienating our friends and allies at home and abroad.  We offer this bi-partisan appeal on behalf of the good people of South Florida in order to convey the intensity and breadth of the opposition most Americans have to the building of this mosque.” According to a CNN Opinion Research poll, 68% of Americans oppose the Ground Zero mosque.  If you agree with most Americans, I ask you to join me in signing the above letter to the President, demanding he side with the American people – and all freedom-loving people, from South Florida to Jerusalem, who wish to preserve this piece of hallowed ground in Lower Manhattan. Together, we can send a strong, bi-partisan message to the President that will echo the thoughts of millions of our fellow countrymen. I look forward to hearing back from you about this concerning issue as soon as possible. Regards, LTC(R) Allen B. West You can now text “GOWEST” to 777111 to get breaking news from the campaign

Florida Republican Congressional candidate Allen West v. Ron Klein

Allen West v. Ron Klein

BY Michael Warren

August 13, 2010 9:10 AM

www.weeklystandard.com

For retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West, Republican candidate for Congress in Florida’s 22nd District, one word seems to sum up his campaign, his career, his life: “leadership.”

“We’ve got to rediscover what leadership is in this country,” West says during an interview in Washington. “In the last 2008 election cycle, we saw American Idol play on a grand scheme. And unfortunately, we believed that giving a good teleprompter speech meant leadership.”

It may sound like typical boilerplate rhetoric, but for West, leadership is a culture and a lifestyle he knows well. His father served in World War II, his older brother in Vietnam. Both were Marines, but West chose the Army, serving for 22 years and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His nephew is an Army captain, serving stateside after two tours overseas. “I’m not from a political family,” West says. “I’m from a family of service.”

And it’s service to his country that West says drives him to run for public office. West is once again challenging Democrat Ron Klein, who in 2006 defeated 13-term representative Clay Shaw. In 2008, the then-unknown West unsuccessfully ran against Klein with little financial support from the NRCC. “We raised $583,000 all on our own and ended up with 45.3 percent,” he says. So what has changed between 2008 and 2010 that makes West confident enough to seek a rematch?

“It’s time,” he says, explaining there wasn’t enough of it for him in the last election. In 2008, a late presidential primary in Florida meant voters tuned into his congressional race by only March or April of that year. But for 2010, West has had a bit more time to get his name and message out. A video of his rousing speech in Fort Lauderdale in October 2009 went viral and now boasts over 2 million views.

West’s campaign has raised $3.5 million so far this cycle, with $2.2 million cash on hand. That war chest makes him formidable in the task to oust Klein, one of the most well-funded Democrats in the House. This is a seat Nancy Pelosi would like to keep, and for good reason. “He’s trying to remake himself as a fiscal conservative, a moderate,” West says. “The tough thing is that Klein has a 98 percent voting record with Pelosi, so he can’t run from that.”

Nor can Klein hide from a bad economy. “We have 12.3 percent unemployment in the state of Florida,” West says. “You go up federal highway, US 1 through the district from Fort Lauderdale Airport all the way up to Jupiter Inlet, you see closed, closed, closed storefronts.”

West says the solution isn’t more stimulus by way of federal spending; it’s keeping more money in the pockets of Americans with lower taxes. “We have got to transfer the wealth of the American people back to them and out of Washington, D.C.,” he says. He predicts Randian consequences if Congress allows the Bush tax cuts to expire. “What happens in January of 2011 when the producers, the producing class of the United States of America, finds themselves with a 65, maybe 70 percent marginal tax rate? It’s done. The economy’s done, the economic engine of this country is done, and productivity, innovation, investment, ingenuity, it grinds to a halt.”

The economy aside, West’s main legislative interests, unsurprisingly, seem to be national defense and foreign policy. On Iraq, he says: “We can’t get complacent about Iraq, because I think when you telegraph to the enemy that you’re just going to be picking up and leaving on said date, they’ll just wait you out. They’ll come back in and do whatever scurrilous activities they want.”

On Afghanistan: “I think that we need to have a more agile, versatile military that can conduct those strike type of operations, not so much the nation building which unfortunately, that has been our focus.”

On military strategy: “I think the biggest thing we have to understand when you go back and you look at the nature of the 21st century battlefield, this is not about occupational warfare. This is about being able to deny this enemy their sanctuaries, to cut off their resourcing, man, material, the financial support. It is also about the information war that defeats their message and that is cordoning them off from different support areas.”

West would like to sit on the House Armed Services Committee if he’s elected. “I think 22 years active duty service gives me a pretty good perspective,” he says.

It’s what happened at the end of that service career that the Klein campaign could use to try to derail West’s campaign. An incident in Taji, Iraq in August 2003, during which West fired his pistol in the air while interrogating an Iraqi detainee to extract vital information, led to disciplinary action, and West eventually resigned and retired. The West campaign released a four-minute video explaining the incident, with West’s fellow soldiers offering endorsements of his actions and leadership. He hopes to tell the story in his own words before Klein or the Democrats can.

West testified during his hearing in December 2003 that he would have done what he did again if he had to. “If it’s about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I’d go through hell with a gasoline can,” he said. West stands by that statement today, nearly seven years later.

Allen West Speaks, Exposes the Racial Hypocrisy of the Left

A Statement from Allen West for Congress Campaign Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11th, 2010                                            Contact:vweis@AllenWestforCongress.com

(Deerfield Beach, FL) “The Allen West campaign would like to take this opportunity to point out the duplicity of the Florida Democrat Party. All attempts to assassinate the character of Col. Allen West, an American soldier, are in consort with the national Party’s decision to personalize elections where incumbents are in peril. The problem for Democrats in general and Congressman Ron Klein in particular, is that if they want to continue to indulge in the luxury of racial politics when it comes to their leader, President Obama, then they are going to have answer this tough question. If attacks against President Obama’s policies are “racist” by the American people who disagree with them, are attacks against Col. West’s ideas, which mirror the conservative people of this country, “racist” as well? Democrats had better be careful of their hypocrisy. The party of social engineering which has helped decimate the black community, the party of segregation and the party of the late Senator Robert Byrd of Kux Klux Klan fame, had better beware. It is unfair to castigate the opposition when the person is a liberal black American, unless the same rules apply to attacks against a conservative black American. Rev.Jackson, Rev. Sharpton… we’re waiting for your arrival to demand equity for Col. Allen West. Something tells me we will be waiting a long time…”

Ground Zero Mosque Statement from Allen West

August 4, 2010

“I am very concerned about the decision in NYC reference the approval to construct a mosque near the sacred Ground Zero site in New York City.

Leadership is based upon courage, competence, commitment, conviction, and character, something lacking in those supporting the building of this structure. Mayor Bloomberg’s assertion that refusal to allow this mosque to be built would be a victory for islamic terrorists is an illogical statement. He certainly has not studied the history of islamic conquest against western civilization. I am available for a tutorial.

It never ceases to amaze me how liberals can take an act of cowardice and make it sound profoundly brave. There is a simple maxim that I use to express this situation, “when tolerance becomes a one way street, it leads to cultural suicide”. The individuals who hijacked two airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center towers shouted, “Allahu Akhbar”. The individuals who will attend the mosque would offer up like praise of “Allahu Akhbar”. The individuals who detonate suicide vests, behead school teachers and headmasters, throw acid on little girls trying to attend school, and fire rockets into Israel shout, “Allahu Akhbar”.

I do not support the building of a mosque at ground zero. It is not about Muslims, it is about a totalitarian, theocratic-political ideology with an imperialistic objective which I will not allow to claim victory in my Country.

Since Mayor Bloomberg is a rather financially blessed fella, my recommendation is that he and I take a trip to Mecca and visit the local churches and synagogues…….and on the way back we can have a discussion about religious freedoms and tolerance.”

Steadfast and Loyal

LTC(R) Allen West