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March 21, 2010

Todd Sharkey Responds to Obama-Pelosi Health Care Bill
Betty Sutton Helps Drive Country Toward Socialized Medicine

Akron, OH – Earlier tonight, 13th Congressional District candidate, Todd Sharkey, issued the following statement in response to the passage of the historic health care legislation:

“The Democrats in the House of Representatives, including the 13th District's Betty Sutton, have voted to give the people of the United States of America exactly what they did not want - socialized medicine. This change will not unite the country; it will further divide it. It is a vote that will destroy our medical system as we know it today. Rather than an incentive to grow, we will be burdened with more rules and regulations to keep us where we are.

“President Obama commented after the vote, 'This is what change looks like.' I don’t think this is the change the American people are wanting. The people want someone to lead them, not someone who wants to remake their country.

“Rahm Emanuel, the president’s chief of staff, remarked, 'We proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things….we proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people.' If Mr. Emanuel believes this is a government of the people and by the people, then what does he have to say to the majority of people who oppose this legislation?

“The people know that this kind of change will not improve our health care, nor will it make it more cost effective. We have now gone the way of Great Britain and Canada and what does our future hold? Long lines and rationed care. It won’t start tomorrow, but within ten years we will be dealing with European-style problems. However, your taxes to pay for all of this start right away.

“I am saddened by this vote. But, I am optimistic that 'we the people' can reverse this course. Starting May 4th, we have the opportunity to elect representative who will actually represent the people. Your vote matters now more than ever. Then in November, we can send a clear message to Washington and vote every one of these usurpers out of office.

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On Tuesday, Todd met with the Cleveland Plain Dealer's editorial staff in anticipation of their candidate endorsements.  Elizabeth Sullivan, Joe Frolik, Christopher Evans, and Kevin O'Brien joined Todd and four other candidates for the 13th District Republican primary to discuss issues affecting the district and the nation.

All of the candidates contributed great points and Todd enjoyed the opportunity to share his thoughts on the need for business, labor and government to work together and also his strong belief in American ingenuity as a key to economic recovery.

Today, Todd Sharkey became one of only a handful of Ohio candidates and elected officials to sign the No Climate Tax Pledge from Americans for Prosperity:

No Climate Tax Pledge:
I,Todd Sharkey, pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Ohio and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.

To date, Todd is the only candidate in the 13th District to sign the pledge, which is a commitment that all bills relating to climate change issues should be revenue neutral and should not increase the tax burden on the American people.

As the No Climate Tax site explains, "This is an effort to separate the tax question from the climate change issue.  Many climate change proposals at all levels of government include substantial increases in government revenues.  We don’t believe it is appropriate to hide tax hike in environmental bills.  These bills should be revenue neutral, holding taxpayers harmless by offsetting every dollar of revenue raised through environmental taxes and regulations with tax cuts.  This approach allows us to have open and honest debate about whether we should act on climate, as well as having open and honest, and quite separate, debate over the appropriate level of taxes."

Read the Press Release.

I pledge to balance the budget, reduce the size of government, and lift the tax burden on the American people.

To accomplish this pledge, we have developed a ten-point platform that will restore a bright future for the United States and Northeast Ohio. We will be publishing our first two points in the next day or two. Watch the website as we continue to publish more of this plan in the coming weeks. We plan to have all ten-points completed by March 31, 2010.

When we begin implementing this ten-point plan, we will begin to see jobs being created, families being strengthened, and our cities thriving again.

Many people have questions about their party affiliation for the primary and whether or not they are eligible to vote for the candidate of their choice.  From the Ohio Secretary of State website:

In a primary election, how do I establish which political party’s ballot I am entitled to vote?

You may vote the primary ballot of the political party with which you currently wish to be affiliated. If you wish to vote a party’s ballot different from what you voted in 2008 or 2009, you must complete a statement at your polling place confirming the change in your political party affiliation.

When you arrive at your polling place for the May 4th primary, you will be asked your party affiliation.  If the poll worker finds that your affiliation has changed since the last time you declared your affiliation, he or she may ask you to complete a statement confirming the change.

If you haven't previously declared your affiliation, you can do so for the first time on May 4th!  Todd would be honored to have your vote.