The Compact with America

CLASS OF 2010 – COMPACT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

If I am elected to Congress as a freshman legislator in 2010, I promise the American people I will fight for the following principles that will result in restricting the power of the federal government over our lives and return government back to its original constitutional powers:
1. Support Term Limits: Support a Constitutional Amendment to Limit the Terms of Members of Congress.

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limits the number of terms any person can serve as President of the United States. We need to once again create part-time citizen legislators and end the power of full-time politicians.

Therefore, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to amend the Constitution to limit Senators to two (2) elected terms and members of the House of Representatives to six (6) terms. As part of this limitation, I will also co-sponsor legislation to disqualify Members of Congress from participating in the federal pension system.
2. Create Transparency: Give Voters The Opportunity To Read the Bill and Limit the Length of any Legislation.

In the Internet Age, there is no reason why Congress cannot provide the American people with the opportunity to review each potential piece of legislation before their representatives are required to vote on the matter. This practice will also hold Members of Congress accountable as they will no longer be able to claim that they did not know what was in a bill when they voted on it. In addition, there is no reason why any bill should be longer than a typical novel.

Therefore, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to create a legislative page on the Internet and require that any bill must be posted on that page in its totality for a period of at least five (5) days before the bill may be voted upon in either chamber of Congress and limit the size of any single piece of legislation to two hundred (200) pages. I will also co-sponsor legislation to require each member to certify that they have read the legislation and understand it.

3. Live By The Constitution: Require Citation of Constitutional Authority.

Members of Congress are bound by the U.S. Constitution, and Sections 8 and 9 of that document limit the power of Congress. However, many Americans believe Congress is usurping the powers granted to the people under the 10th Amendment.

Therefore, I promise to require that all legislation introduced in Congress to specifically cite the Constitutional authority empowering Congress to enact said legislation.

4. Uphold the Separation of Powers: Hold Votes on Regulations.

The Constitution is clear that all legislative powers reside with the Congress. However, executive administrative agencies currently legislate through the enactment of regulations that often go far beyond the provisions of the law. In fact, the Federal Register now runs over 80,000 pages.

Therefore, I will co-sponsor legislation to prohibit any regulation from going in to effect until Congress has approved it by recorded vote.

5. Protect States Rights: Return Federalism to Its Rightful Form.

The federal government continues to usurp power from state and local governments, even though most Americans prefer to have decisions made by governmental bodies that are closer and more accountable to them.

Therefore, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to require a “federalism assessment” for any proposed law or regulation to ensure the rights of states are protected from intrusion by the federal agencies.

6. Create Accountability: Prohibit Earmarked Spending Requests.

The practice of burying pork barrel spending requests in legislation encourages corruption and unnecessarily increases the federal debt. Legislation should be based upon our national interests and not upon the parochial interests of individual Members of Congress.

Therefore, I promise to co-sponsor a bill to prohibit any appropriation of federal funds to a specific municipality, corporation (whether for-profit or not-for-profit), or other entity unless approved by a separate line-item vote. In addition, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to prohibit any political action committee or officers of an entity that receives one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) or more in federal funds from contributing to the campaign of any Member of Congress for a period of two (2) years following its receipt of federal funds.

7. Ban Socialism: Prohibit the Federal Government from Owning Stock in Private Companies and Require Audit of the Federal Reserve.

As a result of recent bailouts of financial institutions and automakers, the federal government now owns a significant stake in several privately-held companies. This is in addition to the creation of quasi-governmental entities (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) which are permitted to operate as private companies while receiving overt support from the federal government. This practice undermines our system of free enterprise and is unfair to the millions of small businesses who cannot compete against government-supported entities.

Therefore, I will co-sponsor legislation to require the federal government to sell any ownership interests it may hold in private or quasi-private entities and prohibit it from obtaining ownership interests in any such entity in the future. In addition, I will co-sponsor legislation to require an annual audit of the Federal Reserve’s operations.

8. Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: Require Every Authorization Bill to Reduce Spending by at Least 5%.

Even as our $12 trillion debt continues to act as a drag on our nation’s economy and endangers our economic viability, Congress refuses to take responsible steps to reduce its spending – even while admitting federal programs include waste, fraud, and abuse.

Therefore, for the next two years, I pledge to vote against every appropriations bill that does not reduce the prior year’s appropriation by at least 5%. In addition, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to eliminate the Departments of Energy, Education, and Housing and Urban Development.

9. Support Fundamental Tax Reform: Either through a Flat or Fair Tax System.

Our federal tax laws have become far too complicated and now require even many middle-class taxpayers to purchase professional assistance to prepare their returns.

Therefore, I promise to co-sponsor legislation to enact fundamental tax reform – either through a flat tax or a fair tax. However, I further pledge not to support a fair tax system unless it is coordinated with a repeal of the 16th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to prohibit the implementation of both an income tax and a national sales tax.

10. Take Taxpayer Dollars For Abortions Off the Table: Prohibit Federal Funding of Abortion.

The American public remains deeply divided over the issue of abortion, with strong feelings on both sides of the debate. Given this deep divide, it is imprudent to use taxpayer dollars to fund a procedure that many Americans equate to murder, as this only enflames the passions of abortion opponents.

Therefore, I promise to oppose any federal funding of abortions, either in this country or through funds provided to foreign countries or international agencies.

Troyer and Lauber Offer Compact with America

St Louis, MO and Fort Wayne, IN – Liz Lauber (R-MO) and Phil Troyer (R-IN), both of whom are challenging seated incumbents in the 2010 congressional primaries, released their “Class of 2010 Compact with America” today and invited non-incumbent federal candidates of any political party to join them in signing onto the ten items listed in the document.

“Republicans have an opportunity to retake the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, but only if they are serious about standing for less government and abiding by the U.S. Constitution,” said Lauber. “The strategy of the House Republican leadership, according to an article published in Politico today, is to spend only twenty percent of their time working on promoting their policies, and eighty percent of their time criticizing the Democrats. That’s a purely political strategy designed to increase their own power instead of standing for meaningful policies and exactly why Republicans are in the minority today.”

In the Politico article, Republican leaders mentioned the GOP is considering the release of “a 21st-century blueprint” after Labor Day. “We don’t need a 21st century document,” said Lauber, “The U.S. Constitution was established as the blueprint for our country’s government over two hundred years ago. It is time for the GOP to get back to basic commonsense, constitutional government.”

“In 1994, Republicans won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives – in large part due to the ‘Contract with America’,” said Phil Troyer, who is challenging 8-term incumbent Congressman Mark Souder in Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District. “Unfortunately, too many within our party abandoned their pledge to support limited government, term limits, and greater accountability in Congress. As a result, they are not viewed as serious about reform. For example, Republicans cannot criticize Democrats for the earmarks in the health care bill if they are submitting earmarked spending requests of their own.”

“If the Minority Leader is to become Speaker he needs stronger players like Phil Troyer standing beside him,” said Lauber. “Although I am challenging an incumbent Republican, I’m not running against the Republican Party. I am offering myself as an alternative to those Republicans are too focused on reclaiming their own power within the current system instead of putting forth serious reforms of that system.”

“National polls demonstrate that voters are not looking to merely replace the Democrat House leadership with incumbent Republicans in 2010,” noted Troyer. “Voters are looking for candidates like Liz Lauber who are committed to reform. In order to regain the trust of the American people, candidates must demonstrate they will push for fundamental changes in how Congress operates. This Compact is our pledge to push for that reform.”

With their announcement, Lauber and Troyer announced that they are in the final stages of designing a website for all non-incumbent candidates to visit and sign onto the Compact.

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Upcoming Events

I will be speaking to the Dekalb County 9-12 Group tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 12) at 6:00 p.m. at the Cupbearer Coffee House in Auburn.

On Thursday, Jan. 14, I will be speaking to the Northeast Indiana 9-12 Group at 6:15 p.m. at the Kendallville Library.

I hope to see you at one of the events.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

January 5, 2010

Dear Concerned Voter,

I would encourage you to review the opinion piece that ran in the January 4th edition of the Wall Street Journal under the headline, “The Biggest Losers: Behind the Christmas Eve Massacre at Fannie and Freddie.”

The editorial begins, “Happy New Year, readers, but before we get on with the debates of 2010, there’s still some ugly 2009 business to report: To wit, the Treasury’s Christmas Eve taxpayer massacre lifting the $400 billion cap on potential losses for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as the limits on what the failed companies can borrow. The Treasury is hoping no one notices, and no wonder. Taxpayers are continuing to buy senior preferred stock in the two firms to cover their growing losses-a combined $111 billion so far. When Treasury first bailed them out in September 2008, Congress put a $200 billion limit ($100 billion each) on federal assistance. Last year, the Treasury raised the potential commitment to $400 billion. Now the limit on taxpayer exposure is, well, who knows?”

The editorial goes on to point out that, after presiding over a combined $24 billion in losses during the last quarter, the CEOs of Fannie and Freddie are now eligible to earn $6 million annually in salary – in cash. What about the “pay czar” you ask? Not surprisingly, these quasi-governmental agencies are exempt from the rules being applied to private banks who received TARP funds. To quote from George Orwell’s Animal Farm, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

As I frequently note, Congressman Souder’s support of the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street (”TARP”) was the final straw that convinced me someone needed to challenge him in the 2010 Republican primary. Not only are we piling mountains of debt on to our children and grandchildren with these bailouts, we are undermining the very foundations of our free enterprise system.

Just think, after wrecking our housing market, these same bureaucrats now want to “reform” our health care system. Heaven help us.

Merry Christmas

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:9-14)

I wish you, your family, and your friends peace and joy during this Christmas season,

Phil Troyer

Press Release on Jobs Summit

In anticipation of President Obama’s “Jobs Summit,” 3rd
Congressional District candidate Phil Troyer offered his own prescription
for getting America companies to begin hiring again.

“The best way to create jobs is to cut federal spending,” said Troyer.
“Private companies understand they are about to be hit with additional costs
- especially in the form of higher federal taxes – and therefore are
unwilling to risk taking on the expense of hiring new employees.”

“For too many years – including those during which Republicans were in the
majority – Members of Congress passed numerous spending bills that were
primarily designed for their own self-aggrandizement and re-election,”
Troyer remarked in introducing his jobs plan. “Unfortunately, they did not
consider the impact that spending would have and the massive resulting debt
is now a significant drag on our economy.”

While some have proposed cutting business taxes to encourage job creation,
Troyer believes that approach would be short-sited. “Our national debt
stands at $12 trillion and continues to rise,” Troyer noted. “According to
the CEO of Exxon, the collapsing U.S. dollar has already increased the price
of oil by $20 a barrel. Business owners are savvy. They understand that
cutting taxes without addressing spending will simply cause the value of our
dollar to collapse further, which will further increase the price of goods
and services needed for production. In addition, they know Congress will
simply raise their taxes again in the near future.”

“If Members of Congress would begin putting the country’s interests ahead of
their own or, more realistically, if we could elect new Members of Congress
who are serious about cutting spending, we could lower the federal debt,
strengthen the dollar, lower the cost of goods and services, and spur
economic expansion – all of which would lead to more job creation,” Troyer
concluded.

“I will be interested to see where Congressman Souder will come down on this
debate,” said Troyer. “He has favored government spending as a means to
‘create jobs’ in the past – most notably through his support for billions of
dollars to bailout Chrysler and GM, as well as personal requests for
earmarked spending. But does he really believe Congress can create
sustainable jobs in the private sector? If that were true, then he needs to
explain why he hasn’t been able to reduce the high unemployment rates in our
region despite supporting trillions of dollars in federal spending.”

Happy Thanksgiving

As you know, the past year has been difficult for many Americans. Millions
have lost their jobs and are still struggling to find work, thousands of
families will celebrate this Thanksgiving without a loved one who is serving
overseas, and many of us are deeply concerned about the decisions being made
in our nation’s Capitol.

However, on this Thanksgiving Day, let us take time to give thanks to God
for the many blessings He has provided, including the privilege of living
in this great country. Let us remember those who have sacrificed so that we
can enjoy the freedoms we too often take for granted and pray for our
nation’s leaders. Let us also remember those who are less fortunate than
ourselves and try to do something to their holiday a little brighter.

I hope that you and your family have a joyous time of fellowship, feast, and
football on this day of Thanksgiving.

Week 2

We are only two weeks into the campaign, and the momentum is already building.

On Monday I spoke to the Fort Wayne Conservative Breakfast Club and received a very positive response. I conducted an interview for the Warsaw Times Union on Tuesday evening. At 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, I shook hands with people waiting in line at the Sarah Palin book signing in Fort Wayne, and I collected a large number of names of new supporters at the Statewide Tea Party rally in Warsaw on Saturday.

In the meantime, supporters are scheduling coffees in their homes, and I have received a commitment for a major fundraiser in Fort Wayne.

Needless to say, there is a lot of work to be done, but I am pleased with the progess thus far. Please keep up the good work so we can reclaim our government from the special interests in Washington.

Phil Troyer

Welcome

Well, its been a hectic week since I announced my candidacy last Tuesday. However, it has also been very encouraging as my message of ending the practice of corrupt pork barrel spending and reducing our national debt appears to be resonating with voters. As a result, my main concern is not with the strength of the message but getting it out to as many people as possible during the next six months.

You can help by inviting me to speak at Rotary, Lions, and other service clubs in your area, as well as by hosting a “coffee” – an informal gathering of friends and neighbors in your home or community center during which I can give a short presentation. Please contact me at “philtroyer@comcast.net” if you can help in this fashion.

Together, we can reclaim our government and stop career politicians from wasting our tax dollars with self-serving earmarks. However, I need your help.

Look for Troyer for Congress on these social networks:

Or check for campaign updates from Phil on the Troyer for Congress Blog: