Courtney's College Charade

As a candidate for Congress and as a U.S. Representative, Joe Courtney heavily emphasized the Democrat plan to cut college costs. Now that that bill has been enacted, we see that this "plan" was nothing more than a charade designed to cost taxpayers more money without providing any real assistance to college bound students.

In an excellent piece in the New London Day, Leslie Carbone points out that the legislation supported by Joe Courtney is really a regressive tax increase on hard working Americans seeking a college education.

Congressman Courtney has not come clean with the people of EasternConnecticut. Courtney has praised legislation that at best does nothing and at worst hurts middle class families, the very people he promised to represent in Washington.

Courtney: No Friend of Small Business

During the 2006 Congressional campaign, Joe Courtney received no endorsements from small business groups. Courtney’s tax hiking record in the General Assembly was more than enough to convince the bipartisan Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Businesses that he wasn’t the right person to represent CT-2 in Washington. Now that Courtney is in office, we see that that belief was well founded as Courtney supports legislation that hurts our economy.

The minimum wage bill passed by Courtney and his allies provided no tax assistance to Mom’n Pop businesses that would be hurt by an increase in the minimum wage. This problem is especially acute in CT-2 where hundreds of small businesses on the shoreline rely on seasonal help. If they can’t afford to hire people, than the vital tourism industry of our part of Connecticut will suffer dramatically. Fortunately, the Senate recognized the issue and has taken steps to amend it; much to the chagrin of Courtney’s far left allies in the House.

If Courtney really cared about the middle class and small business, wouldn’t he work to fix this problem instead of just doing what his leadership told him? Courtney isn’t helping the businesses and their employees of Eastern Connecticut.

Simmons: Still Getting It Done

Former Congressman Simmons attended an event along with Joe Courtney to commemorate the purchase of the first parcel of land for the extension of Route 11. This event was made possible only because of the efforts of Rob Simmons during his tenure in Congress. Even Courtney had to congratulate his predecessor on a job well done.

Courtney has said he'll make Rt. 11 a priority, but don't hold your breath. Courtney still has yet to accomplish anything in Congress.

More Broken Campaign Promises

Despite Joe Courtney’s repeated claims during the campaign to be for bipartisanship and moderation, the new Congressional Leadership has gone out of its way to ram through legislation and stomp on the minority. Instead of an open atmosphere, Courtney and his allies have done all they can to prevent the Republicans from having a voice in the House.

Another campaign pledge Courtney has failed to live up to.

Congressman Courtney Stands With Extremists

Here is video of Congressman Courtney standing with the most far left, extremist political groups in CT. These are people who want all American troops out Iraq tomorrow and demand that Bush be indicted for war crimes.

Courtney has said numerous times that he wants to end partisanship in Washington, but he chooses to associate himself with people well outside mainstream opinion. CT-2 is made up of a diverse group of people; we don’t need a Congressman who only wants to cater to an extremist few.

Submarines

Congressman Simmons wrote a column in today’s New London Day. For anyone interested in our nation’s defense and the economy of Eastern CT it is a must read. Once again, Congressman Simmons demonstrates his knowledge and experience on matters critical to CT-2 and the nation as a whole.

What A Congressman Should Be

Pastor Bill Beck of Groton wrote this letter today in the New London Day about Congressman Rob Simmons.

Stopping Debate in Congress

Joe Courtney is praising the new system in Washington, one that allows him and his other freshman Democrats to have plenty of floor time in Congress. While they are enjoying hearing themselves talk, they are stifling free and open debate. Joe Courtney and his party’s leadership prevented Republicans from offering their own amendments to the “100 Hours.” Instead of working together on important issues, Courtney is content to force legislation through without meaningful debate. Democrats seem to be afraid to have anyone challenge their agenda.

How can Joe Courtney claim he is ending “poisonous partisanship” while supporting rules that prevent a real discussion of the issues? This is just another example of Courtney’s failure to live up to campaign pledges.

100 Hours Issues

It looks like the Democrat’s “100 Hours” are having more problems. Despite all of the fanfare during the election about this legislative agenda it looks like few of the bills will be passed in their current form, if even at all. One major reason for this: Democratic infighting.

Once the “100 Hours” are over (whenever that will be, after more than a week of being in session they’ve only managed to accomplish about 42 hours of work as of this writing) it still remains to be seen what the Courtney plans on doing. He has failed to articulate a full agenda beyond what the DCCC has told him to say.

Student Loans

Joe Courtney recently voted to cut student loan interest rates for Stafford Loans.

While Courtney will try and claim this a major help to students, the reality is that this legislation leaves much to be desired. While some costs will be eased, this is nowhere near the kind of sweeping change the Courtney constantly talked about during the campaign. The new majority seems content to pass band-aid legislation rather then take on the real challenges confronting America.

Industry Counting on Courtney

The defense industry is relying on Joe Courtney to be a vocal supporter of defense spending in the new Congress. Hopefully they won't be let down when Congress refuses to authorize additional submarines.

Congressman Simmons worked diligently and successfully to get more subs built in Groton. Now we have a new Speaker of the House, supported by Courtney, who refuses to support more subs while there is conflict in Iraq. By electing Courtney, the submarine industry in Southeastern Connecticut has been badly hurt. Not only does he have no experience on defense issues, but he is supporting Congressional leadership that has already said they won't do anything for CT-2.

New Appointments

Congressman Courtney has been appointed to two House Armed Services subcommittees - the Sea Power and Expeditionary Forces subcommittee and the Military Readiness subcommittee.

Remembering in Norwich

Both Congressman Courtney and former Congressman Rob Simmons attended a service in Norwich yesterday to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Both Courtney and Simmons praised the work of Dr. King and emphasized bipartisanship and unity.

More Rhetoric vs. Reality

Requiring the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare was a major part of Joe Courtney's 2006 bid for Congress. By implementing this change, Courtney insisted that drug prices would go down for senior citizens.

Well now that the campaign is over, reality can step in. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, negotiating Medicare drug prices won’t lower costs for senior citizens.

Was this plan simply wishful thinking on the Democrats part? Did Courtney actually research this proposal or did the DCCC just tell him to say it?

Courtney Backs Dodd

Congressman Courtney recently endorsed Chris Dodd’s nascent presidential bid. In 2004, Courtney supported his fellow trial-lawyer John Edwards for the presidency.

One wonders who he really supports...

Front Page Coverage

Congressman Courtney got a front page profile in today’s New London Day. The article deals with Courtney’s new office and life in Washington as well as the growing controversy regarding the proposed increase of American soldiers in Iraq.

Simmons on 'Face the State'

Rob Simmons spoke with Al Terzi on WFSB’s Face The State on Christmas Eve 2006. It was a very insightful interview in which the former Representative talks about a variety of issues including the 2006 race for CT-2, current events and his future.

2002 vs. 2006

As a candidate for Congress in 2002, Joe Courtney pledged the following:

“I commit to you when elected to Congress I will not accept – I cannot accept – any taxpayer paid health plan until ever man, woman and child in America has access to affordable health care coverage.”

Where are you on this issue now, Congressman Courtney?

What Time Is It?

It seems that there is some discrepancy as to how far into the "100 Hours" the Democrats actually are. As of this writing the Democrats have it at 23 hours and 34 minutes while the Republicans have it at 75 hours.

The constant emphasis on "100 Hours" implies that change would come quickly to Congress. Instead the Democrats seem content to take their time, doing what they want only when it suits their political and personal desires. Who can blame them? Most jobs wouldn't let you take an entire day off to watch football.

Meanwhile, Congressman Courtney gave his first floor speech. He was apparently very nervous, but got through it.

Courtney and the Communists

Today Joe Courtney attended an event that calls for the rapid withdraw of US forces from Iraq. What makes this noteworthy is that the Communist Party of Connecticut is one of the featured groups!

No one believes that the 2nd District Congressman is a Communist. What is surprising, however, is that he would chose to attend an event with people who want to overthrow capitalism!

As a public official, does Congressman Courtney really believe it is appropriate to be associating with a Communist group?

Promises Made, Promises Broken

Joe Courtney promised that he would bring change to Washington DC. He said that within 100 hours a new Democratic majority would enact an incredible agenda to help the American middle class. Well not even half way into this “100 Hours” Joe Courtney and the rest of his caucus are already breaking their campaign promises.

Here are a few examples of the rhetoric versus the reality:

Rhetoric: Immediate action on adopting the 9-11 commission recommendations.
Reality: Democrats Reject Key 9/11 Panel Suggestion

Rhetoric: A clean up or down vote on the minimum wage
Reality: GOP hits Pelosi's 'hypocrisy' on wage bill

Rhetoric: Courtney and Democrats to work 5 Days a week
Reality: "Average Joe" Democrats Take Day Off to Watch Football

Courtney has barely been office for a week and already he and his party are failing to live up to their word. One can only wonder what they won't do next?

Simmons Considered for State GOP Chair

Former Congressman Rob Simmons is being considered by Governor Rell for State Republican Chairman.

On the Job Training

Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District has more farms in it than any other district in the state. Agriculture forms the backbone for much of the region’s economy. That is why we need a Congressman in Washington who understands agrarian issues. Unfortunately, Joe Courtney does not meet this standard.

In The New London Day today, a Lyme farmer laments the fact that Joe Courtney is “as green as grass” when it comes to agricultural issues. Eastern Connecticut’s farms face serious challenges in the coming years. Hopefully Congressman Courtney is a quick learner.

Courtney Committee Assignments

Congressman Courtney has secured seats on the House Armed Services Committee as well as the Education and Labor Committee. That Courtney would be extremely vulnerable in a 2008 rematch with Simmons was not lost on the Democratic leadership when they doled out committee assignments.

Introduction

This blog has two objectives. Our primary purpose is to keep a close eye on Representative Courtney. We will contrast his campaign promises with the reality of Washington DC as well as examine his words, actions and, most importantly, votes now that he is a public official. Our secondary goal is to promote and assist a challenger candidate in the Second Congressional District.

Welcome to Joe Courtney Watch.