The Coxsackie Sportsmen’s Club

 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with members of the Coxsackie Sportsmen’s Club in Greene County. While the conversation started, as you might imagine, with discussion of the Second Amendment, it quickly expanded to include national security, the economy, taxes, immigration, farming, property rights and energy.

The consensus among the voters I’ve spoken with over the past several months is that they are worried about our country and our state; they recognize that both are at a crossroads. To say that the future of both has something to do with if Democrats continue to run the House of Representatives and are allowed to take the reigns in the New York State Senate as opposed to if Conservatives and Republicans can restore the majorities we held in Washington, D.C. and keep control of the State Senate would be an understatement.

The members of the Coxsackie Sportsmen’s Club are no different than the other voters I’ve spoken to. They are paying attention to the issues that dominate the national conversation and the issues that effect them locally. They are tired of the politics as usual both in Washington and here at home.

It was a genuine pleasure to speak with the members of the Coxsackie Sportsmen’s Club. I look forward to doing so again in the future, and I hope I can count on their support as I continue my campaign.

Get Ready For a Tax Increase

By voting to support the Democrat’s budget yesterday, Congresswoman Gillibrand voted for the largest tax increase in American history and against the working families of upstate NY.  The budget she supported brings back the marriage penalty tax and the death tax, reduces the child care tax credit for low income families, and raises taxes on senior citizens and small business owners.

Columbia County Young Republicans

Last night I attended the annual Lincoln Day Dinner hosted by the Columbia County Young Republicans. It was great to meet and talk to so many Republicans – both young and old – who are concerned about the direction our state is going in and are working to change it for the better.

Let’s Get Back To Business

Today is a sad day for New York. I wish Governor Paterson the best of luck; it is in the best interest of all New Yorkers that he move the state forward from this unfortunate situation which forced Governor Spitzer to resign in disgrace. Our state government now needs to get back to the business at hand – passing a balanced, responsible budget that focuses on tax relief for New York’s families.

The Time For Discussion Is Long Past

The 20^th Congressional district is a Republican/Conservative Republican district. It seems that Mrs. Gillibrand has found out that voting with the liberal Democrat leadership in the House means voting against her constituents – constituents that do not support the policies of the Democratic majority.

Last night I received a call from Maury Thompson at the Glens Falls Post Star asking me to comment on this story:

Gillibrand wants discussion on Protect America Act

By MAURY THOMPSON

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 5:41 PM EST

U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport, has repeatedly urged House leadership to put forward legislation “as soon as possible” replacing temporary legislation that authorized security gatherers to tap into foreign telephone conversations in which the signal passes through the United States, Rachel McEneny, a spokeswoman for the congresswoman, said Tuesday.

The so-called Protect America Act expired recently.

Gillbrand will vote against taking an Easter recess if a replacement bill is not put forward by that time, McEneny said.

Here’s what I sent to Maury:

It is clear to me – and I expect to the many residents of the 20^th Congressional district who take our national security seriously – that Mrs. Gillibrand is trying to have it both ways with FISA. She knows the House will recess for the Easter holiday despite her transparent posturing. Her attempt to gain advantage on this issue by calling for a discussion through the media needs to be seen for what it really is. Her voting record leads me to seriously doubt she would have bothered weighing in on this issue if it weren’t for the advertising running in the district that calls attention to the issue.

Unlike Mrs. Gillibrand, I have real world experience with the consequences of poor intelligence and its impact on both troops in combat and national security. I’ve lost good men and colleagues to the political games played by the likes of Mrs. Gillibrand and her party leaders she seems so eager to please. The trivialization of national security and the lives of American citizens is a perfect example of why I am running to replace her in Congress.

From the moment I decided to enter public life as a candidate for this seat, I’ve been consistent and clear in my support for modernizing FISA and – more specifically – for giving the men and women putting their lives at risk in defense of our freedom the timely intelligence they need to not only complete their mission but come home safely. Mrs. Gillibrand and her party continue to be more concerned with providing the trial lawyers they receive so many political donations from with new targets for lawsuits. This is national security versus favor for political supporters. Her position and voting record on this issue are disgraceful.

I look forward to debating the issues with Mrs. Gillibrand so I can ask her what she hopes the Democrats in the House might achieve if they were to put forth new legislation to replace FISA. Unfortunately, her vote against the bipartisan Protect America Act makes it pretty obvious to me that her intention would be to further weaken our intelligence gathering capability, putting not only the lives of servicemen and women serving on the frontlines, but also the lives of the men and women living right here in upstate New York, at risk.

Mrs. Gillibrand is not credible on national security. Playing politics with our national security and American lives is simply despicable and just the latest example of why she needs to be removed from Congress before she can do any more damage to our national security.

New York’s Young Republicans

Today I had the opportunity to speak at the New York State Young Republican board meeting in Albany. Afterwards, I also had the chance to speak with individual members, who impressed me with their passion and dedication. The Young Republicans represent a very important force in moving our party forward, not just because of their youth and energy, but because they are motivated by a sincere dedication to conservative and Republican values that too many people in our party have forgotten.

Endorsed By The Warren County Conservative Committee

Earlier today I received a phone call from Warren County Conservative Chairwoman Carol Birkholz to notify me that I had received the endorsement of their party. I was honored to accept this endorsement, just as I was honored to accept the endorsements of the Saratoga and Washington County Conservative Committees at the end of last year.

The endorsement, in part, stated:

“The Warren County Conservative Committee is proud to announce the endorsement of retired US Army Lt. Colonel Michael Rocque to represent the 20^th Congressional District... Mike Rocque is a true patriot that unequivocally stands for Conservative principles… We believe that Mr. Rocque has the courage, education and experience to fight to change the way Washington does business.”

Thoughts On Freedom

I like to think of myself as a patriot. I served my country for two decades as a member of the United States Army. I’ve seen a good portion of the world as a soldier and as a businessman and each place has made me appreciate America all the more.

I was privileged to spend a good portion of the 1990’s getting to know and coming to respect the people of Kosovo and their strong desire for freedom. So, it was with great pride that I watched as nation after nation recognized Kosovo’s declaration of independence over the weekend.

Just days later, we learned that Cuba’s dictator of nearly five decades had stepped down. While Cuba still has a lesser Castro to deal with, it is plain to see that freedom is on the march in that beautiful island nation. I have great hope that her people will soon reclaim their land, their wealth and their independence and a free Cuba will once again be the crown jewel of the Caribbean.

As I reflect on freedom and patriotism, I am overcome with a sense of pride as freedom takes root in so many places around the world. I recently had the honor of participating in the first free elections Iraq has seen in half a century and that experience is something I will always carry with me. Yet, I also find myself puzzled by the efforts of some leaders in our own country to curb the freedoms that have made America the envy of the world for more than two centuries.  I am also puzzled by the announced intentions of these same leaders to turn their backs on people seeking to be free around the world. 

As  a  member of Congress I will fight to protect freedom – both for Americans and freedom loving people around the world – an to ensure that America continues to be that  city on a hill that all other nations aspire to.

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Gillibrand Is Wrong On FISA

Congresswoman Gillibrand’s vote against the Senate’s bipartisan FISA legislation tells me that she puts party politics ahead of our national security. Our government must have the ability to monitor the communication of terrorists – no matter where they are or where the party on the other end of the line is.

I would have voted for legislation that takes into account the massive changes in communication technology  - changes that our enemies understand and exploit in their efforts to organize and execute attacks against America and our allies. I understand the threat our country faces and would not have voted to extend the current law.

The Second Amendment

One of the questions I am most regularly asked about is my position on the Second Amendment. Here’s my position:

I believe the Second Amendment clearly states that individuals have a right to keep and bear arms. The whole point of the Bill of Rights was to specifically state the rights of the individual in our Constitution. The founding fathers believed so strongly in the right to keep and bear arms that it came in only behind freedom of speech in importance. You and I both know that the amendment has absolutely nothing to do with owning arms for the purpose of hunting. It’s about something much more serious than that.