The following letter was emailed to many Republican Party leaders throughout the 8th Congressional District in October, 2003. It is as true today as it was back then...
Dear Republican Friends,
As many of you know, I have over many months been touring the 8th Congressional
District and talking to many Republicans and Republican leaders about the
serious need for presently RENEWING and REJUVENATING our 8th Congressional
District representation in Washington. It has been a message that's truly
resonated with these Republicans.
For the last decade, I have increasingly seen the need for change by seeing a
combination of inaction on many things and, lately, movements in the wrong
direction. Phil Crane's "passive obstructionism" in the 70's and 80's was a
great service to our Party and country to prevent hair-brained, liberal ideas
from become reality. But this same passivity works AGAINST us now when, since
the early 90's, the people look toward REPUBLICANS to solve the serious problems
before us. And if we don't provide the creative solutions NOW - they will once
again turn elsewhere.
There are numerous serious problems as I, in my professional life and
life as an involved citizen, see it. Just some of these are:
1) Healthcare: Thirty-three year incumbent Phil Crane has ignored this
issue for the last decade even when others (including myself) have provided
practical solutions to greatly ease this crisis. Premiums are doubling every 5
years or less, over 100,000 (that are known and not "buried") Americans die each
year from medical mistakes, and employers are dropping coverages to employees
every day (I know, since as an Employee Benefits Consultant I've personally been
requested to perform such matters). And what's frustrating is a lot of this
DOES NOT HAVE TO BE!
2) National Retirement Policy: Congress just yesterday gave temporary
relief to companies on their pension funding obligations. But as a benefits
professional, I say to you that this does not change how much companies
must pay -- it merely delays the "day of reckoning". And, without anyone of
apparent knowledge in the benefits area, Congress "shot themselves in the foot"
by reducing the capital gains tax to 15% while leaving IRA's taxed at normal
income tax rates (e.g. 28%, 33%, etc.)! It's now, by far, much better to have
your money in a regular stock brokerage account than in a traditional IRA!
Discouraging savings toward retirement is precisely what we DON'T want to do
in light of 93% of our population either not adequately planning for - or having
inadequate savings in - retirement programs.
3) Fair Trade: Incumbent Phil Crane proudly touts "Free Trade" with
China and others. But this is not TRUE "Free Trade". Because to truly have a
sustaining and vibrant free trade it must be FAIR to both sides. Currently, the
"Free Trade" that Crane has installed over recent years has been UNEQUAL in its
terms and fairness and has decimated the manufacturing sector. Americans
relish competition - but they insist on our sense of fair play and playing by
the rules. So one has to ask: Why do we have a floating currency, allow free
flows of capital in and out of our country, and foreign ownership of businesses
while China (as just one example) artificially pegs their wuan currency 40%
below free market rates, restricts flows of capital, and doesn't allow 50% or
more ownership of many Chinese companies by any foreign company. We're playing
baseball by baseball rules - while we allow foreign countries to play baseball
by football rules -- tackling we and our workers at every turn!
4) Government Regulations/Taxation: Government regulations and taxation
certainly also influences the price of our goods to both American consumers and
that of our trading partners. Whether it be pollution regulations, labor laws,
or the cost of compliance to our IRS codes; ALL are factors that ultimately are
incorporated into the cost of our goods. As a small businessman, I am YEARLY
enraged in spending $50 of my time to depreciate a $49 cellular telephone over a
multiple of tax years. That gives me, say, $15 in tax deduction which may be
worth a little over $4.00 to me. Fifty dollars of time to save about $4.00!
Does THIS sort of tax law help our economy???
ALL of the above issues are very burning issues to me, our children, and future
generations. And although I was fully wishing to enter this campaign for
renewal in our 8th Congressional District in THIS election cycle, I have decided
to make this firm stand in the NEXT election cycle (i.e. the Spring, 2006,
Primary). As much as more people will physically or financially die in the
interim, and these problems will still be present, it was perhaps politically
the somewhat better decision. There were some backers - manufacturers - that
greatly supported my candidacy after my full outlining to them of my specific,
concrete solutions to solve our foreign trade problems. And they are still
there. But, unfortunately, they are just now getting into the political arena
(too focused on making things versus fighting off politically generated, unfair
trade practices- shame on them). These major employers are consequently
uncomfortable traversing the changing laws of campaign finance to be presently
able to throw themselves into the fight. But they HAVE committed to
organizing. Because they KNOW that the jobs of their employees - and future
generations - are quickly slipping away under the status quo of Uncle Sam being
indulgent to foreign country's unequal trading terms. They will be there
in the future via establishing a political director, developing a PAC, etc.
They, understandably, simply cannot be there now.
The campaign starts today for rejuvenating and renewing the 8th District
under "Creative Conservatism". It will simply take a slightly longer time
horizon. In the meantime, I just pray that we Republicans keep this seat for
one more term . In the enduring wisdom of the people: If we don't deliver, the
people will find somebody who will. And I hope that doesn't mean a Democrat...
In the not too distant future, I will seek many of you out to step forward for
"Creative Conservatism" being applied to our district - and the nation. I hope
you will join me in this effort to demonstrate to the public that we Republicans
will not be party to the Status Quo of serious problems, will not "get along and
go along", and will demonstrate that thinking smart in government (as in
business) is always better than thinking big!
Please feel free to respond with your thoughts, opinions, or questions on any
issues. You may also share this with any other concerned Republicans you
choose. We ALL must participate in this experiment we call America...
Yours for a better Republic,
Kenneth W. Arnold
2034 Liberty Lane
Gurnee, IL 60031-6306
call-abe@voyager.net
847-782-1688