Tag: Senator Major John Boccieri(D-Alliance)

Somedays the Campaign Team at John Boccieri for U.S. Congress make this job a true pleasure. Check out “our” new video!

Visit John Boccieri for U.S. Congress or call 330-754-0534 to volunteer for Team Boccieri!

Date Set for Fourth Boccieri-Schuring Debate

Schuring, Canton Chamber of Commerce Reject Additional Forums

Both 16th District congressional candidates have agreed to a fourth debate before the November election. This discussion will take place live on the WHBC radio show “Points to Ponder” on October 15.

Unfortunately, Sen. Kirk Schuring has refused a debate proposed by the AARP that was to take place at Stark State College of Technology. Sen. John Boccieri had agreed to this debate, but the AARP has canceled the event after Schuring rejected their offer.

Senator Major John Boccieri(D-Alliance) responded to the news as follows:

“It’s unfortunate that Senator Schuring refused to participate in an open discussion about the issues facing our seniors in this election. Social Security, pension protections, and the cost of health care and prescription drugs are vital concerns that the next Congress will have to address, and it’s disheartening that Senator Schuring is unwilling to do so.”

Don Singer, a representative of the Boccieri campaign, also responded to the Canton Chamber of Commerce’s cancellation of a debate that both candidates were willing to participate in:

“After much progress, I’m disappointed that the Chamber of Commerce suddenly closed the door on negotiations despite Senator Boccieri’s willingness to debate the candidate they had just endorsed.”

What gives? The Canton Chamber of Commerce endorses Schuring, plans a debate, but as soon as John Boccieri accepts they pull the plug? I might be wrong, but this just doesn’t pass “the smell test”. As for the AARP debate, I think we covered that here.

Schuring Follows Boccieri’s Lead on Energy

Canton, OH – Months after U.S. Congressional Candidate John Boccieri first announced his energy plan, opponent Kirk Schuring has finally offered an energy proposal that endorses many of Boccieri’s policies.

Senator Major John Boccieri said in a statement, today:

“I’m flattered that Sen. Schuring has finally embraced energy ideas I’ve been talking about for months, but I’m disappointed it took him this long to realize people are concerned about high gas prices. Unfortunately, his plan still doesn’t provide enough short-term solutions to our high gas prices, and I think voters will wonder whether someone who raised their gas taxes and has taken $20,000 from oil executives is really serious about making the big energy policy changes we need.”

Today Schuring adopted Boccieri’s proposals to crack down on Wall Street speculation, build new refineries, encourage fuel conservation and fuel-efficient vehicle research, and invest in U.S.-based alternative energy technologies like clean coal, nuclear, wind, solar, and biofuels.

I wonder how that will play with the “independent swing-voters”?

However, Schuring’s plan still does not include many measures Boccieri has proposed to provide short-term relief at the pump, such as releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or pushing oil companies to drill first on the untapped U.S. leases they already hold, including 33.5 million acres off America’s coasts.

Instead, Schuring continues to claim that opening up ANWR and more U.S. coastline to drilling is a “short-term solution” to high gas prices. This notion has been refuted by experts across the political spectrum, including George W. Bush’s own Energy Department, which found that these steps would not have an impact for roughly 20 years.

Boccieri added:

“We need a lot more than drilling to get us out of this mess. We need to do what it takes to lower gas prices quickly and transition to home-grown alternative energy sources as soon as possible.”

Boccieri recently released a new radio spot about his energy plan, which can be heard here.

You can read Boccieri’s complete energy plan is available on his website.

One fact just isn’t going away:

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress:

John Boccieri has a plan to reform America’s trade policies and restore our competitiveness.

Reforming Trade and Restoring America’s Competitiveness

Unfair trade practices have had a devastating impact on our local communities. Since 2001, the state of Ohio has lost more than 102,000 jobs to China alone – the 5th highest amount of all 50 U.S. states.

Two thirds of U.S. jobs lost to China have come from our manufacturing sector, which won’t surprise local community members who have seen factories closed and jobs shipped away.

John Boccieri believes that America can become a strong competitor again, but we need a major change in our approach to the global economy.

Here is what Senator Major John Boccieri(D-Alliance) has laid out for us:

Put America first when it comes to trade:

The fast-growing economies of countries like China would collapse if U.S. consumers weren’t buying their goods. Instead of rubberstamping bad trade deals written by international corporate lobbyists, leaders in Washington should use that leverage to negotiate fair trade deals that benefit America’s workforce.

Of course, John’s opponent thinks our first priority should be extending the “Bush-onomics” of “lowering the capital gains tax”. This additional tax cut does nothing more than lower federal revenue, line the pockets of businesses, and the wealthiest of investors.

Enhance and enforce fair international trade standards:

We should use our global economic leverage to increase labor, human-rights and environmental standards around the world, not weaken our own protections in a race to the bottom. We should push countries like China to stop manipulating currency values, open their markets to U.S. exports, and honor and enforce standards that will level the playing field for American workers.

Of course, John’s opponent thinks our second priority should be a “crack down on the frivolous lawsuits”. We’re not stupid; this is simply a code phrase for “Tort Reform”, lowering the penalty against manufacturers of faulty products that injure, maim, and kill unsuspecting consumers and workers to just $250,000. Is this “fair compensation” for the life of your family’s bread-winner?

Protect the health and safety of American consumers:

Higher international trade standards won’t just help U.S. workers – they will protect American consumers from lead-tainted toys, poisonous pet food, or other dangers of cheap but poorly-regulated overseas production.

Gosh, I think I just covered this one with my last comment! Just for the sake of fairness, his opponent suggests “Regulatory Reform”. “Tort Reform” becomes an insurance policy for this irresponsible cousin.

Restore fiscal responsibility in Washington:

President Bush will leave us with the largest deficit in American history, and his reckless spending has driven us deeply into debt. Other nations have bought huge amounts of our debt to manipulate international currency values to their advantage. Restoring spending sanity in Washington is an important step to improving our balance of trade.

John’s opponent claims he will “fight to restore the fiscal discipline for which Republicans were once known”. This leads to a serious question; “Just how do you propose to “restore fiscal responsibility” while we spend $12 billion per month on The Iraq War?”

Reward investment in America:

We should reward companies that find innovative ways to create jobs and compete right here in the United States. These businesses should receive tax breaks, first priority for state and federal contracts, and other benefits to help them grow and succeed.

John’s opponent suggests “reforming unfair trade laws” that were put on the “fast-track” by the Bush/Cheney administration. Wouldn’t we find this much simpler to achieve had we never entered into these “trade agreements” without first making sure America’s middle-class working families were put first and foremost?

Turn around our education system:

America has fewer students graduating from high school today than we did a generation ago. We need to put a diploma and college or skills training within reach of every single young American by making smart investments in education, expanding much-needed grants and loans, and offering scholarships in exchange for public service.

John’s opponent proposes to “shift the burden of funding from property taxes to sales and income taxes”. Does it make sense that John’s opponent wants to lower taxes for the wealthiest investors and raise taxes on the working middle class while we spend $12 Billion per month in Iraq?

Support and invest in displaced workers:

Workers whose jobs have been outsourced often lose their health insurance and pensions, too, and even if they find new jobs they rarely pay as well. We need effective workforce retraining programs, stronger protections for pensions, and a health care system that gives every American coverage that is portable, affordable, and not subject to pre-existing conditions.

John’s opponent proposes to “Create Economic Empowerment Zones”. “Strengthening partnerships between industry and government” reads like the lobbyists win, again. Albeit, the “free market principles”, such as health care savings accounts, tax credits, and employer reimbursement reads much like the “Bush Privatization Model”.

Make our economy work for all Americans again:

We have to end the disconnect between booming corporate profits and stagnating middle class incomes. When CEO salaries rise, workers’ paychecks and benefits should grow, too.

“Senator Schuring is welcome to keep defending Bob Taft’s policies and looking out for the corporate executives who fund his campaign. I’m focused on relief for the working families who are being hit hardest by our economic crisis.” ~ Senator John Boccieri, July 23, 2008

Invest in industries that can’t be outsourced:

Producing our own energy here in America is a matter of national security. The Apollo Alliance estimates that the development of renewable domestic energy sources like wind farms, solar arrays, biofuel crops, and geothermal, nuclear, and clean coal plants would create more than 23,000 new “green collar” jobs in Ohio. Half a million more jobs could see wage and benefit growth from those investments.

Industries like this are the key to new jobs and prosperity for generations of Americans to come.

It’s a 4355 mile commute to ANWR and if traffic is in your favor you might make it there in 90 hours!

ACTION ALERT: Attacking Me for Schuring’s Gas Tax

Dear Friends,

You may have heard of “Freedom’s Watch” – they’re a group of former Bush administration officials who plan to spend billions of dollars in 2008 to send more George W. Bush-style Republicans to Washington.

They’re also confused. They’ve just started sending phone messages to local voters attacking me for the Ohio state gas tax that my opponent, Kirk Schuring, voted to increase in 2003. I voted against it.

Schuring voted for Governor Taft’s transportation bill, which imposed $580 million in new taxes on Ohio families. Because of him, families in our state will pay more than a quarter of a billion dollars in extra gas taxes this year alone.

Why is Freedom’s Watch telling people to call me about a gas tax I opposed? Shouldn’t they be asking voters to call Kirk Schuring instead? And why are big-money Washington groups dumping cookie-cutter attacks on our district while Schuring himself hasn’t said a word about his energy plans?

Clearly, Freedom’s Watch doesn’t actually care about your high fuel costs. They’re just coming in to help out one of George Bush’s biggest backers in Ohio – but they didn’t do their homework, and now this stunt will backfire. I applaud the Canton Repository for repudiating third party attacks like this one. And I thank Freedom’s Watch for the opportunity they’ve provided to talk with constituents about my opposition to the gas tax increase. Now its time for Senator Schuring to explain his vote to raise the gas tax.

Gas tax gimmicks won’t ease our pain at the pump. I’ve been talking about serious, substantive energy solutions for weeks. All we’ve heard from Kirk Schuring is silence – while Washington hired guns do his negative campaigning for him.

It’s time for Kirk Schuring to speak for himself. It’s time for him to answer to voters directly about his support for higher gas taxes.

Today, I am challenging Kirk Schuring to stop hiding behind third parties and agree to a public debate with me about our energy future – one on one, in a neutral forum, before the voters of our community.

I need your help to make sure he hears the challenge. Here’s what you can do:

If you get a phone message from Freedom’s Watch, record it or save it on your answering machine. Then give us a call at 330-754-0534.

Write a letter to your local paper. Set the record straight about Schuring’s gas tax hike, and extend your own challenge to Schuring to publicly debate me on energy issues.

Call Kirk Schuring and ask him why he voted to raise your gas taxes: 330-455-9199.

Sincerely yours,

John Boccieri

We had high drama in OH-16 yesterday…

Why Does Kirk Schuring Refuse to Debate?

Yesterday, after I received the Action Alert from John Boccieri, I took it upon myself to pick up the telephone and try to get a response from the Schuring camp in regards to a debate on the issues. I have to admit I was surprised that actually got to talk to a human, considering the near abscence of any presence of Schuring in the public eye. Oh, yeah, he did ride in a car with the retiring Regula in the Wooster Parade and his “joke moment” in Ashland County.

I introduced myself , by name, and openly identified myself as Internet OutReach Director, John Boccieri for U.S. Congress.

Me: I’m calling to request that Kirk Schuring join a public debate, in a neutral forum, against Senator John Boccieri about rising gas prices, energy plans, and visions.

(pause)

Staff: I don’t know the Senator’s plans on that.

Me: Well, if he decides to accept, you have him give us a

call at (330)754-0534.

Staff: I’ll pass your message on.

Me: Thanks for your time.

Staff: Thank you for calling.

Based on passed perfomance, we’ll see what that’s worth…

Bryan Collinsworth, Boccieri’s communications director, wrote me to say that they Boccieri’s campaign staff delivered the above debate challenge to Schuring’s campaign manager morning, and for doing so Schuring’s campaign has issued a press release calling for Boccieri’s staffers to be fired.

Collinsworth said that he and Campaign Manager, Ian Walton, went to the address listed on Schuring’s Web site, and found they had to go to the Higbee Road headquarters to find Schuring’s people.

“We drove over to the office, and asked where the Schuring campaign office was and walked in and handed the letter to them. If they don’t want people entering their office, perhaps they should lock the doors. But I’m not sure that’s a very effective campaign strategy either.”

“I don’t see what the violation is here, except that they’re trying to dodge the broader issue that we’re trying to talk about. We went there, delivered the challenge letter. We asked them for a debate. We said, ‘When can you schedule this?’ And we got no firm answer on that. So this is clearly just another way of dodging that question, in my view.”

Collinsworth admits to taking a photo of the delivery.

The Schuring Camp issued a release of their own, charging the Boccieri Staffers “barged into the Schuring Headquarters and started snapping pictures.” What’s to hide Kirk?

Schuring said:

“I’m very disappointed that the Boccieri Campaign has stooped to this level of desperation. This was a tactic designed to intimidate and it’s not going to work, nor is it acceptable here in the 16th Congressional District. Perhaps this is the way he has run his campaigns in Youngstown, but that style of campaigning won’t sit well with voters here. John, you should apologize to the voters to the 16th District and fire these staffers today.”

Sorry, Kirk, Boccieri lives in Alliance and his office is in Downtown Canton, not, out at Belden along with Ralph Regula’s. Does it hurt to be the 16th District’s version of McSame?

Still, Schuring chooses to remain silent on the issues hiding behind third party groups from Washington. His site says virtually nothing on energy and is yet to agree to debate The Major in a formal, substantive debate on the skyrocketing costs of fuel and energy. This whole thing sounds like Schuring suffers from a skewed parallax.

What does he have to hide?

He voted to INCREASE the gas tax while Boccieri voted against it.

Middle class families in our area continue to struggle and Schuring chooses to side with big oil(raised more than 20k from oil and gas executives).

This election is too important! Voters deserve to know where the candidates stand on this and other issues. Schuring should stop his political games and engage in a real dialogue about his vision and ideas for the direction of our country.

Call Kirk Schuring and ask him why he voted to raise your gas taxes: 330-455-9199.