Bob Schwartz, Republican seeking the 5th Congressional District seat.

The following questionnaire has been submitted to each candidate running in the Republican primary seeking the nomination for Republican candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. This seat is now held by Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper. Whoever wins the primary on August 5 will most likely face Cooper in November.

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from, what to you do for a living, what is your educational background, your political experience?

I'm a fighter who's ready to join the brave band of fiscal conservatives battling Jim Cooper, Barney Frank and rest of the Nancy Pelosi crowd in Congress.

I am fighting to restore freedom and opportunity to the people of America. I am ready to take on Jim Cooper and his big-government, big-deficit gang when I get to Congress by virtue of my executive experience in the healthcare industry and, also, by my pick and shovel political track record.

On the recent political front, I was named a Delegate from Tennessee to the Republican National Convention in 2008 and was also one of two Tennessee members of the Platform Committee where my language on home-schooling and health promotion was added to the Republican Platform.

I'm currently serving on the Executive Committee of the Davidson County Republican Party which is building an extraordinary grassroots structure to fight the battle on the local level.

On the job front, I've been a healthcare executive for many years. I understand the problems in that area and am prepared to offer free market solutions that will help, rather than corrupt the process. This nation needs healthcare reform, but ObamaCare is a hideous creation of bureaucrats who have no experience or understanding about healthcare delivering. I pledge to tie up ObamaCare in committee and to defund it through the appropriations process until the Courts rule that it is, in fact, inconsistent with the Constitution.

On the most basic personal level, it's important that readers know that I am a committed Christian. Jesus Christ is my rock and my salvation. My current political effort is in His hands.

Why are you running for this office?

I'm running for Congress to be part of the team that stops the madness! (i) Spending is out of control. (ii) Debt to foreign countries threatens the national security. (iii) New federal healthcare legislation includes provisions forcing American citizens to purchase government OK'ed plans. (iv) The military is stretched to the breaking point in foreign entanglements. (v) Small businesses suffer under high tax rates and crushing regulations while the federal government subsidizes the auto industry and Wall Street. (vi) We do not optimize use of our own natural resources while we pour money into countries housing our deadliest enemies.

In the most general terms, we can simply and cleanly address many of the problems above by drastically cutting the budget of the Federal government.

What do you see as the primary issue is this race?

As radio commentator Ralph Bristol puts it so clearly and so succinctly:

"It's the spending, Stupid, and it's the stupid spending."

Government borrowing is now so high that, for the first time in our history, the government is competing with the private sector for funds. These are the funds needed to create jobs! So, not only is government spending threatening the financial future of the younger generation, it is killing job growth right now in the private sector.

In addition, decreasing Federal spending will decrease the power of special interest groups. Recent Supreme Court rulings and freedoms guaranteed under the Bill of Rights make it unlikely that federal controls or legislation can decrease the power of lobbyists. Just as sure as the day follows the night, however, lobbyists will diminish if the Federal government has less money and less power.

If you are successful in wining the Republican nomination and you are successful in defeating Jim Cooper, when serving in the US Congress what issue will be your primary focus? What will be your priorities?

(1) Slash spending. I support Marsha Blackburn's call for an immediate five percent reduction in all non-military spending and will support a Constitutional amendment requiring a Federal balanced budget.

(2) Create an Environment for Private Sector Job Growth. I will work to create jobs in the private sector by decreasing small business taxes and eliminating confusing and unnecessary regulations.

(3) Reform Congress. A number of immediate actions can be taken in response to Congress' over-blown and over-reaching actions, including: (i) Single Subject bills should be required rather than omnibus bills that "sneak" non-related actions into major legislation. (ii) An immediate five percent reduction should be put in place in all non-military budgets. (iii) No monies should be authorized for new federal programs until the budget moves to balance. (iv) Legislation requiring that the Federal budget be in balance by 2020 should be passed. (v) Finally, I will make a personal commitment to remain in Congress for no more than three terms.

When I make my decision who I will vote for for this office, not only do I want to vote for someone who has solid conservative values and who I think would make a good Congressman, but I want to vote for someone who I think can beat Jim Cooper. Best person and electability may not necessarily be the same thing. I have heard that it will take anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million dollars to mount a successful campaign. Do you have the support, the time and resources to conduct a wining campaign?

I'm electable because I offer a proven track record of creating budgets and organizations that accomplish their mission in the private sector. I'm now turning those skills toward building a political organization through which my rock-solid conservative beliefs can be heard and felt first by Jim Cooper and then by entire Nancy Pelosi gang in Congress.

People know they can trust me. I've walked the walk not just talked the talk! Conservative principals and the free market are not simply abstract philisophical or political constructs for me. They exist, as stated in the Constitution, to guard the people's rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. More opportunity. More jobs. Better schools. Freedom to live as we see fit.

The structure I am building in the 5th District will more than match Jim Cooper's top heavy machine. I promise! I've put together budgets and strategic plans over the course of my business career. For this political battle, I am creating a grassroots structure in every precinct in the 5th District that will form the girders and beams of my campaign. In addition, I am naming heads to 15 'affinity' groups to communicate, educate and motivate special interest voters.

In terms of fund-raising, the structure I am building is creating the credibility to produce donations. People are already giving generously because they see that a winning team is being built. I am budgeting $125,000 for the primary efforts and in the neighborhood of $1,000,000 for the entire campaign.

If one wants to know more about your campaign or contact you how to they do that?

I welcome direct contact from voters at 615-419-9615. My two campaign web-sites will be complete in early May:

www.ElectBobSchwartz.com
www.BeatJimCooper.com

If we act bravely and as a well-administered fighting force, we will win Tennessee's Fifth Congressional Distrct! Middle Tennessee will join the efforts of valiant citizens all around the country who are working to save America from irresponsible leaders whose actions and attitudes reflect neither the principals on which this country was founded nor the beliefs of the vast majority of her citizens. This is a fight worth fighting. This is a fight that must be won!

ONWARD!
Bob Schwartz
Candidate for the Republican Nomination
Fifth Congressional District
Tennessee

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There will never be enough boats

By Jeff Hartline

Jeff Harline is a Republican seaking the 5th Congressional District seat.

During the recent massive flooding in Nashville, Tennessee, the rain was so heavy and the rising waters so fast that many residents and tourists were trapped in their homes and hotels. As First Responders both on and off duty mobilized and scattered to the most dangerous places in the area, thousands of people remained trapped by the rising waters.

At first, lone citizens began to arrive at these locations to ferry trapped tourists and residents to higher ground. As these courageous citizens continued their efforts, the call went out to the community to send boats to certain areas. Individuals showed up and worked tirelessly, using their own time, assets and fuel to play a vital role in thousands of rescues. These were not citizens “mobilized” by some order from the State or City. They were individuals making a difference in the lives of their neighbors.

But their care for their neighbors is not the only story here. Neither is the heroism of First Responders in Middle Tennessee. Their efforts are still drawing praise from all over the region. This tragedy highlights the reality of government’s inability to solve every problem. It was never designed to do so. You see, during the flooding the government did not have enough boats. Truth is, government never has enough of anything to take care of everybody. It cannot and never will.

Whether we talk about water rescues, health care, retirement planning, product regulation, border security, community peace, hunger, child care, etc., government does not have the resources to solve every problem. A citizenry that expects such will be sorely disappointed. A citizenry that believes this myth to be true, or maintains that it is true for others only perpetuates a belief that cannot be substantiated by reality. There is not enough tax revenue, not enough fees, not enough tariffs, not enough anything to provide the be-all end-all for all who expect to line up at the federal trough to be cared for for their entire lives.

The Founders expected individuals to be connected within their individual communities through neighborhoods, churches, or other organizations in order to encourage good citizenship and dependence upon others. Such a paradigm requires a certain expectation of individuals to behave in a way that does not alienate them from their neighbors. The Founders never intended for the Federal Government to provide one single solitary thing for any individual. The Enumerated Powers expressed dealt with regulating a level playing field for individual rights and for the ability of commerce to flourish. They would have bristled at the thought of a powerful federal entity picking winners and losers either through the tax system or through entitlements to certain individuals or groups. These powers were reserved to the States and to the People individually.

Enough boats in a water rescue come from boat owners. Enough health care comes from a bustling health industry, enough retirement comes from responsible, accountable citizens saving their money. Depend on government and you will eventually be stranded. Whatever we allow or expect government to give, government can take away. Build your own boat and look out for your neighbors. If you do not have your own boat, be enough of a neighbor that your neighbor with a boat looks out for you in time of need.

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CeCe Heil, Lex Luger & Nikita Koloff Host Time of Prayer

NASHVILLE, TN – Fifth District Congressional Candidate CeCe Heil announced today her campaign will be commemorating the National Day of Prayer at her headquarters.

Hosting this event will be World famous wrestlers, Lex Luger & Nikita Koloff. Lex Luger is a three-time World Champion having held two WCW Championships and the WWA Heavyweight Championship. Recently, Luger has been giving his testimony about becoming a Christian and the changes in his life. Nikita Koloff is a story of welfare to world wide fame as a champion wrestler, who only found fulfillment when he became a Christian.

“Defending the American Dream begins with defending our right to come together to pray,” Heil said. “With the recent tragedy that has struck all of Middle Tennessee there has been no better time to pray for our community and give thanks for what is truly important, our lives, our families, our friends and our freedoms. The freedom to come together and pray is the foundation of what makes America great.”

“Middle Tennessee has proven it is a shining city on a hill. In this time of tragedy Tennesseans have come together helping each other instead of focusing on what the Government is not doing or what they are entitled to…we see neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger. I am so proud of Tennessee and am asking CeCe For Congress volunteers to take time off our campaign to reach out to their communities and help where they can. America is still great and Tennessee is proving that! I am honored that Lex and Nikita would lend their time to give voice to the ideals our nation represents at this event.”

Supporters of freedom are asked to come together and unite as citizens empowered by prayers for our community. Heil invited Middle Tennesseans to bring the family, drop by after work - come meet with CeCe and her guests this Thursday, May 6th from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm at her headquarters at 2817 Erica Place in Berry Hill.

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“Big Brother is Watching You”

Americans for Limited Government has undertaken an analysis of the Dodd financial sector takeover bill, S. 3217, know as the "Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010." This bill would establish an Office of Financial Research and give the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the authority to “collect, validate, and maintain all data necessary” to maintain the financial stability of the United States.

In essence, the government would have the right to routinely look at your bank account without a search warrant. It is undeniable that this bill gives the government that authority. This is a major departure from the constitutional right to be secure in our " persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures."

This is truly alarming. Daily we see our liberties slip away. Unfortunately, while liberals are willing to give up the right to have a private bank account in the name of financial security and willing to give the government the power to force you to buy health insurance against your will in the name of health care; conservatives are willing to give up the right to be free from the police demanding that you "show us your papers" in the name of catching illegal immigrants and willing to surrender other liberties in the name of national security. Few are consistent advocates for limited government and too few seem concerned.

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Are Republicans Stepping on a Land Mine?

by by Mona Charen

[Excerpt] a 2006 survey by Latino Coalition found that 34.2 percent of Hispanic voters considered themselves conservative, while only 25.8 called themselves liberals. More than 53 percent agreed that it was more important for Hispanics to become integrated into American society than to preserve their native cultures. Offered a choice between higher taxes and more government spending or lower taxes and less government spending, 61.2 percent favored the latter. Moreover, like other Americans, Hispanics tend to vote more Republican as they age.

[Excerpt] Republicans who favor strong measures to limit illegal immigration should not sacrifice their principles to truckle for votes. But neither should they blindly blunder into a political wilderness for lack of finesse. (link)

Comment:
Republicans would be wise to heed the advice of Mona Charin. By 2042 white Americans will be in the minority in this country. The Republican Party can not be a viable party and be the party of only white people.

Republicans have already lost the Black vote. Despite the fact that it was Democrats who stood in the school doors and blocked integration and it was Republican votes in Congress that passed the important civil rights legislation, Republicans get almost no Black votes. Having gone door to door campaigning for election in Black communities, I know that many Blacks are conservative, especially on taxes, on social issues, and eminent domain. On simple ideology, there is no reason Republicans should not be able to compete for black votes. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, we can’t.

Republicans had better be careful or we will permanently alienate the Hispanic vote. In 2004, Bush got 40% of the Hispanic vote. Now, it looks like we are determined to throw that away. If our anti-illegal immigrant position gets translated as hostility to people of Hispanic heritage and disregard for the rights of Hispanic citizens we will drive Hispanic voters into the arms of the Democrats and they may stay there.

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Hartline Statement on Nashville Flood Disaster

NASHVILLE – The historic and terrible flooding affecting Nashville and many surrounding communities is a tragedy for thousands of people - and an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Nashvillians, congressional candidate Jeff Hartline said today.

"Most everyone in Nashville has either been hurt by the disaster or will know someone - a relative, a friend, a co-worker or colleague - who has been directly impacted by the flood," Hartline said. "We have been given an awesome opportunity for public service of the personal kind - service to our fellow man.

"Insurance policies call natural disasters 'Acts of God,' but the real acts of God in the days ahead will be the countless acts of generosity and service, of people helping people with the immense work of recovery from the flood and to rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives," Hartline said. "I look forward to doing my part."

Hartline for Congress urges you to volunteer via Hands on Nashville (www.hon.org) or through a local church or non-profit, and to contribute financially via the American Red Cross or other trustworthy organizations - or directly to someone you know who needs your help."

Learn more about Jeff by visiting his campaign website, HartlineForCongress.com, and his blog, www.signersandframers.com.

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