Betty Sutton Campaign Literature Scandal

Despite the tireless work of Congresswoman Betty Sutton’s political machine, her recent “Look-At-Me” newsletter scandal is not going away.  With a  price tag of $118,838 it is  going to be around for a quite a while.  The “Look-At-Me” scandal is a priceless example of Sutton’s disconnect with the citizens of OH-13.  Her reckless tax and spend attitude is embodied in these mailings.  This issues is far from over and will remain a thorn in Sutton’s side for some time to come.

Today, Bob Dyer of the Beacon Journal took another well deserved shot at Betty.  In his article, Dyer contrasted Sutton’s recent literature with that of state Senator Coughlin’s.

When it comes to communicating with constituents, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton could take a lesson from state Sen. Kevin Coughlin.

As we told you a few weeks ago, Sutton, D-Copley Township, recently blanketed her district with two brochures that could have come straight from Madison Avenue. Both — fully financed by you — were glorious, full-color, six-page brochures praising her legislative efforts.

In short, the ”newsletters” were campaign literature.

Last week, the folks in my ZIP code got another political mailing, this one from Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls. His newsletter looks like something the local PTA might put together: a simple, black-and-white foldout with a couple of grainy photos.

One of the interior pages is devoted to asking voter opinions on seven issues. The other discusses two bills he has introduced.

When asked about the bare-bones effort, Coughlin said, ”I try to avoid political rhetoric, opting instead to highlight a couple of legislative initiatives and to survey citizens on a wide range of issues.”

The best part about it: He seems genuinely interested in taking the public pulse. The questions are neutral, such as, ”Do you support or oppose a proposal that would extend the school year by 20 days?”

Read more @ ohio.com

Pelosi's Puppet

Let’s Review:

• The right does not want this health reform
• The middle does not want this health reform
• Now, the left does not want the health reform

So, who is Betty trying to please with her “yes” vote on health reform?

Excerpt from David Swanson’s: Healthcare Hoax from Hell:

A conversation I had with Congresswoman Betty Sutton is typical. She told me that the Kucinich Amendment was no big deal and shouldn’t be paid any attention to. She said she wanted everyone to focus on the Weiner Amendment on which she planned to vote yes. Asked if there was any chance the Weiner Amendment would pass, she replied of course not.

From Congresswoman Sutton’s point of view, a bill that will fail is far more important than a life-saving measure in a bill that might pass, because she planned to vote right on the former and brag about it to her constituents. “See, I tried. I really tried.” But if Sutton’s state, Ohio, passes the bill currently making its way through the state legislature and establishes single-payer for all Ohioans, the death panels, aka health insurance companies, will sue. And without the Kucinich Amendment they will win or at least hold things up for several years and several thousand deaths.

Will Sutton or any other members of Congress fight for either of these amendments? Will any of them call out Pelosi? Forcing the Kucinich amendment back into the bill and forcing a floor vote on the Weiner amendment are admirable immediate goals (as of now Pelosi will be allowing no floor amendments of any sort), but healthcare is very complex with the devil in the details, and the details are being written by devils, blood-soaked devils. The central demand of members of Congress must be: Vote No. The reason they should have to listen must be: We will occupy your offices and prevent you from working unless you commit to voting No, but if you commit to voting No and vote No, we will consider possibly not throwing your sorry ass in the street in next year’s elections.

We may disagree with the left on why this reform must fail, but at least we’ve found some common ground in wanting it to fail. The truth is, Congresswoman Sutton is not a principled woman, and she cannot be trusted to do what’s right. No one in OH-13 should expect the Congresswoman to actually represent our concerns – left or right.

Sutton, in her pursuits of power, has become nothing more than a puppet for her party’s house leadership. Her votes go as Pelosi instructs.

For once, I am with you David Swanson. Let’s through her sorry ass in the street in next year’s elections.

Most of Summit County is represented at the Federal Level by Betty Sutton, you may remember the “Tax and Spend” liberal from her many photo ops with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  I can’t remember hearing much else; since she is the ONLY member of congress who refuses to appear on our local talk radio station….you got something to hide Betty?  Well her home town of Barberton is following in her footsteps this fall, and is a great example of both the city and the Congresswomen’s failed approach to throwing crazy money at the problem!

Read more about our local school levy problems at www.meatandpotatoes.org

Betty Sutton's Pork Projects Cost Us $

Dan Mucci – The Suburbanite

Mon Aug 24, 2009, 09:03 AM EDT

Akron, Ohio – Are Congressional earmarks good or bad?

They can be both, according to local Congresswoman (D OH-13) Betty Sutton. Sutton cited several examples at the Akron Chamber of Commerce’s forum at the Martin Center on the University of Akron’s campus.

“In the House, we earmarked $600,000 for the Bio-Innovation Institute,” said Sutton. “The Senate is looking at earmarking $400,000 for the Institute. Potentially, this is good for this area. It is unique and could lead to the entrepreneurial spirit. If we can leverage our strengths and secure Federal funding for the area, these monies can help create jobs.”

Other earmarked projects for Summit County include: $100,000 for Oriana House; $100,000 for the Sheriff’s Department; $500,000 for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park System; $1 million for the University of Akron’s Polymer Center; $500,000 for Akron Metro to name a few. In total, if and when Congress approves the budget, $21 million will come to Summit County for projects – projects that will create jobs.

Sutton said many people question why we need earmarks and if we didn’t have earmarks, we could save money.

“The money that is spent in earmarks will be spent whether it is marked as earmarks or not,” said Sutton, the youngest of six children. “Without earmarks, agencies would spend the money. With earmarks, we can bring the money back to the area’s that need the money the most.”

I have to interrupt at this point.  For some reason this all reminds me of Sutton’s floor speech prior to her Cap and Trade vote:

“This bill isn’t perfect. I have yet to see a bill that is. But the status quo is not the right choice.” ~ Betty Sutton

Translation: It’s not perfect. we need to do something.  This is something.  Let’s do this.

What kind of logic is that?  This is just an idea, call me crazy if you must, but couldn’t you hold out, take your time, research the issue, study the impact on the 13th district and then work to get us a perfect bill or vote NO?

So, now we have Sutton telling us that money will be spent whether it’s earmarked or not.  What?  I’ve got an idea Betty, how about cutting the budget and not spending our money anywhere! Don’t spend it on the agencies, don’t spend it on the earmarks, just don’t spend it!

We must unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of this country and provide the economic opportunities that our constituents need. This bill is part of that mission. It’s not the entire answer to all that ails us, but let there be no mistake, this is a jobs bill.

Just curious, how long have Sutton and her crew been passing “job bills”?  What are Ohio’s unemployment numbers?

Recently, Sutton authored a bill that is making national news – Cash for Clunkers.

“A tour guide giving a tour in the House passed me in the hallway the other day,” said Sutton. “He called me the “Clunker Woman” in front of the group.

Too easy.

“This program is doing exactly what it was set out to do,” said the Barberton native. “It is putting people back to work. Just today (Aug. 19), the Lordstown plant recalled 1,100 workers. That in turn is putting steel workers back to work in Cleveland. Along with that, the consumers are winning as well. With the car trade in, consumers will save $800 to $1,000 a year in fuel. This program has spurred the economy in Ohio and is protecting the environment.

Really, Betty?  Dealers aren’t getting their money and somehow that is stimulating the economy?  How does that work?

You can read the entire story (without my interruptions )  on the Suburbanite’s website