Cry Baby

April 26th, 2010

“If you want to know what liberals are up to, pay attention to what they accuse the conservatives of.” – Quinn’s Laws

For more than a year now, we have repeatedly asked Congresswoman Betty Sutton to hold a local town hall.   Our requests have always been denied since the congresswoman is kept quite busy with her work in Washington.

Being one of the fortunate residents of Ohio who still has a job, I can empathize with the congresswoman.  Work demands can be overwhelming at times.  I was pleased to learn that Sutton was able to take some time off today to rest right in Akron.  I wish she could have spent her time relaxing, but there was the matter of her hurt feelings to deal with.

Betty’s tearful address from the union hall.

ABJ 4/26/2010

”It’s not about me. It’s about every woman or girl,” Sutton said. ”It’s teaching them to scale back their dreams and not to reach too far, but stay close to the kitchen because that’s where you really belong.”

Cristeta Comerford is a sell out!

Huffington Post 4/26/2010

Last week a talented, young woman full of promise came to me with a flier her family received in the mail from the Republican Party. As she handed me the mailer, with a sense of disappointment and hurt, she pointed to a line in the flier that read, ‘Let’s take Betty Sutton out of the House and send her back to the kitchen.’

The young woman, her heart heavy, then said, “I can’t believe that this is how some people value women. And, even if they do, I can’t believe that they would feel comfortable promoting it in a flier like this.” And then, this bright, capable woman, who I know to be ready and able to do great things for our community and nation, said this: “I don’t know why I even went to college; if this is how people treat you, what’s the point?”

Betty, help me understand this.  A young woman, college educated, brings a flyer to the woman who serves as representative of the 13th congressional district of Ohio, and questioned her decision to go to college?

Am I missing something here?  I am not convinced this young woman is ready or able to handle the world, Betty.

“She (Sutton) looks like a whiner. Suck it up. You’re in politics” Gale Moss – Cool Beans Medina

Today’s news conference confirms something I have been wondering for some time now.

Is Sutton’s seat safe?  The answer is clearly, NO.  The congresswoman is slipping in the polls.  Her campaign is gasping for air as they attempt to save Sutton’s.

“Sutton should focus on creating jobs for the 13th district, not “fake outrage.”  – Ganley campaign

On the bright side, if she’s here, she cannot be in Washington!

Announcements from the Money Tree

April 5th, 2010

Part 1

Is Betty Sutton The Money Tree?

Our elected representative, Congresswoman Betty Sue Sutton, has been tough to find since the election of 2008.  Perhaps it is because of all the hard work she is doing to save jobs in Ohio’s thirteenth congressional district.  Maybe it is because of all the time she spends reading each and every bill.  Whatever the reason, Sutton should make time to answer a few question.

In the last few months, announcements on the congresswoman’s official website have been coming fast and furious.  Many of these announcements deal with grant money being awarded to organizations within the district.  A read of the headlines on her website makes the her look like the proverbial money tree.

Strangely absent from each announcement is mention of the people who tirelessly work to secure these dollars. Sutton is quick to suggest her own hand in the efforts by publishing the announcements, but how much work did she really do?

If the representative had a major role in securing these grant dollars, then I am left wondering why she is playing favorites among organizations within the district.  Furthermore, if Sutton had a major role in securing these grants, why is the federal grant process not based solely on the merit of the applicants?  Are we really handing out tax dollars because the representative likes organization X more than Y and Z?

On the other hand, if the representative had little or nothing to do with the grants, then I must ask why she publishes these announcements on her official website in a way that implies her involvement.  Is our representative attempting to pass off the work of others as her own?

You can expect more on this topic.

Misadventure

March 29th, 2010

“If you want to know what liberals are up to, pay attention to what they accuse the conservatives of.” – Quinn’s Laws

Betty Sutton Failure

Betty Sutton Begs for Cash

Thanks to a reader, we received a copy of Sutton’s recent campaign plea for financial help.  You’ve got to love the opening paragraph (more to come).

“The last election was about hope and change. We worked to elect leaders who would help to fix the economic mess, provide health care for everyone and put our country back on the right track. We won in November but we’ve been faced with obstruction by the Republicans at each turn. It’s been hard to deliver on the change we promised”

Well Betty, as long as you brought it up, we did ask for a solution to the economic mess.  I was just wondering when you were actually going to take care of that? And what about your plan to provide health care to everyone?  Correct me if I am wrong, but you didn’t exactly accomplish that either.

The word failure comes to mind, but you probably feel that way too.  That would explain why you’re blaming the republicans for your inadequacies as a legislator.   If only your party had majority control… wait, never mind.

A Summary

March 20th, 2010

“Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.” – Quinn’s Laws

We don’t want your plan.

We the people have made our opinions clear and Congresswoman Sutton continues to ignore us.  Not long ago, one of our readers shared a comment made by Nichole Francis Reynolds, Sutton’s Chief Of Staff, during a phone conversation:


We don’t give a sh#t what you think.


That pretty much sums up the career of Betty Sutton as representative of OH-13.

Sutton-oleum

February 5th, 2010

Sutton-oleum Rust Panel In Washington

Betty Sutton assembles expert panel to talk about rust.

Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.
- Quinn’s Laws of Liberalism

Thank the heavens, we have Congresswoman Sutton looking after us. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the representative assembled a panel of Ohio experts on Wednesday to describe how preemptive efforts to fix corroded roads, bridges and other infrastructure could create jobs and improve safety.

“When a bridge rusts away and collapses or when water mains break, filling our streets with water, we’ll read about corrosion, but by then it’s too late.” – Betty Sutton.

Betty, who has yet to hold a public town hall, is seeking legislation that will stick the federal government’s grubby hands even deeper into our lives by requiring states to spend money on rust mitigation and prevention plans for public projects before they are completed.

I have to ask, Betty, did you really need to call in a panel of experts to understand that rust destroys metal? Was it difficult to conclude that anti-corrosive products prevent corrosion?

If you don’t mind, when you have finished creating all these new anti-corrosion jobs, could you come up with a plan for the men and woman who currently make their living dealing with the effects of rust.

Good grief.

On Your Dime.

February 2nd, 2010

Betty Sutton Spends $118838.00

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

Stormy Morning Warning

January 30th, 2010

Betty Sutton awarded "Stormy Morning" by Suburbanite

Betty "Tax & Spend" Sutton Recognized As "Stormy Morning Warning"

Negative fall out over Sutton’s inappropriate use of our money continues.   Columnist Frank Weaver, Jr. of the Suburbanite took a big swing at Sutton today in his column, “Outtakes Around The Lakes: Stormy Morns and Starry Nights

“Stormy Morning Warning” goes to Ohio’s 13th U.S. Congressional Representative, Democrat Betty Sutton. During these trying times of economic recession, Sutton mails a self-promoting, six page, full color flyer to everyone in the district embellishing her support for last summer’s Cash for Clunkers program. And she does it at the taxpayers expense.

Less than a week later Sutton blows her horn again. She publicly shows her chutzpah by repeating her Cash for Clunkers support and a few other pet causes in a second mailed flyer. Same self promotion, same number of pages, same full color flyer and again at the taxpayers’ expense. Reportedly, these mail outs cost taxpayers well over $100,000 at a time when unemployment in Ohio is nearly 11 percent and the poverty level even higher. Her self promoting “campaign” literature at the taxpayers’ cost rankled many including yours truly. And you wonder why so many voters reject new and renewal levies. Shame on Sutton.

Suburbanite 1/30/2010

As reported by Sutton’s office, the actual cost for the “Look At Me” mailings was $118,838, not including staff labor.

This story isn’t over yet.

An Afghanistan Answer, Almost.

November 18th, 2009

Betty Sutton Rides Political Fence

Betty Sutton Rides the Political Fence

Let’s start with the question posed by Jonathan Riskind and the Columbus Dispatch back on September 20th.  This is the same question constituent Dick Calta revisited in his November 5th  West Side Leader editorial.

Do you think more U.S. troops are needed in Afghanistan?

When will the United States know whether the mission has succeeded and U.S. troops can withdraw from Afghanistan?”

After just 53 days, Sutton has released her Official Afghanistan Message.  In that letter, dated November 12th, Betty used more than 970 words to respond to, but never actually answer the questions.

The congresswoman’s unwillingness to answer questions is nearing cliché at this point.  She seems to have built an entire career out of political fence riding.  Don’t believe me? Call the congresswoman’s office and ask for her position on [insert issue here].  If you’re lucky, you might get a statement about the representative carefully weighing all opinions and information before making a decision.  More often, a voice at the other end will inform you that your concerns and questions will be forwarded on and someone will look into them.

Today, I am posing a new and more direct line of questions for the congresswoman.


Dear Congresswoman Sutton,

I’ve read your response to the Afghanistan debate, and considering how busy your staff tells me you have been, I appreciate that you found time to address this issue.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find an answer to the question Jonathan Riskind of the Columbus Dispatch asked you on September 20th.  I am sure this omission was merely an oversight, much like the Constitution question at the August Tele-Town Hall.

I have one simple question for you regarding troop levels in Afghanistan.

Q) YES or NO – Do you support General McChrystal’s urgent request for additional troops in Afghanistan?

As a reminder, in February of 2007, in a speech before the Rules Committee, you wholeheartedly supported the opinions of President George W. Bush’s military commander, Gen. John Abizaid.  You quoted portions of his  Senate Armed Services Committee testimony to support your opposition to the troops serge in Iraq.  For consistency’s sake, I assume you will continue to support the expert opinions of our President’s military commanders, particularly those of General McChrystal who was hand selected for his skills and knowledge by President Obama.

I look forward to your response.

HR 3962, WTF

November 8th, 2009

Affordable Health Care for America Act

H.R. 3962 Sutton's Plan

H.R. 3962 Sutton's Plan

Well, she did it again.  Congresswoman Betty Sutton came down in the last hour just as we would have expected, against the best interests of the district, and worse yet, against the will of the people.

In a H.R. 3962 “fact” sheet posted on the congresswoman’s website, Sutton tells us this bill will cut the deficit by more than 30 billion dollars over the next decade and will continue to create a budget surplus over the next 20 years.

Betty’s Merry Men

Steve Driehaus OH-1 (D)
Marcia Fudge OH-11 (D)
Mary Jo Kilroy OH-15 (D)
Tim Ryan OH-17 (D)
Zach Space OH-18 (D)
Charles Wilson OH-6 (D)
Marcy Kaptur OH-9 (D)
more

A Budget surplus?!? Wow, that sounds great!  Suddenly Betty is interested in fiscal responsibility.  Where was this idea when she and her cohorts spent us into the largest deficit in our nations history?

Now Rep. Sutton comes to us with a “Budget Surplus”.  Does she think anyone will actually believe this?  Even if it were true, Sutton and her band of merry men will quickly waste the “surplus” on other irresponsible spending sprees.  How about a tax cut for every American to prove that this surplus will really exist?  The tax cut can be effective immediately upon the final passage of health reform.

Sutton also tells us the cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for by cuts in services and an additional surcharge on 550 households in the district.

——-

Surcharge?  Betty, are you trying to mislead people again.  The word is TAX.  You are placing an additional TAX on 550 families in OH-13.

I’m not as smart as you, so let me see if I have this right – You are raising TAXES on OH-13 residents to pay for a plan that will create a surplus?

lol, more of the same.

November 5th, 2009

Betty Sutton - Pwned

Betty Sutton - Pwned

Back on September 20th, we noticed that Betty Sutton was mysteriously predictably missing from a Columbus Dispatch article by Jonathan Riskind.  The Dispatch had asked the 18 members of the Ohio congressional delegation to answer the following question:

Do you think more U.S. troops are needed in Afghanistan? When will the United States know whether the mission has succeeded and U.S. troops can withdraw from Afghanistan?

Every member of the delegation managed to muster an answer except… you guessed it: BETTY SUTTON.

dispatch

Looks like we were no the only constituents to notice the representative’s absence.

Meet Mr. Calta.  On Sept. 21 he e-mailed Rep. Sutton to ask why she failed to respond to the Dispatch questions.  In true Sutton style, Calta was ignored!  Then, on Oct. 5, he sent a follow-up e-mail to Sutton’s office and got… NOTHING.

Akron.com West Side Leader – Now more than a month has transpired; I have received no feedback from her or her office whatsoever. I am a military veteran and am extremely concerned about our nation’s approach to our effort in Afghanistan, even more so now than last month. I truly want an answer from Rep. Sutton regarding her position in this matter. I am extremely disappointed that I have had no reply whatsoever.

Join the club.

For taking Betty to task in the West Side Leader, this week’s Pwn award goes to, Dick Calta.