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Earlier this year, the United States had the dubious distinction of surpassing the $16 trillion mark on its national debt. But that’s just the tip of the iceburg. When accounting for unfunded mandates in Social Security and Medicare, some estimates put our true debt somewhere near the $100 trillion mark.

Of course, everyone is pointing the finger at someone else. Lots of folks have lots of charts indicating how much the debt increased under such-and-such president, both in dollars and in percentage. Everyone says the “other party” bears the lion’s share of the blame.

Reagan’s tax cuts. Bush’s wars. Obama’s welfare state and sputtering attempts to jump-start the economy. Fill in the blank. Find whatever you can to make you feel better about “your” political party, turn on the TV and watch a ball game. Or start arguing about things like who should pay for whose contraception.

Meanwhile, the debt problem isn’t going anywhere. If nothing is done by January, a double whammy of tax hikes and spending cuts is set to kick in.

In the meantime, we’re cranking up the printing presses and rolling out brand-new dollar bills again, which lowers the value of your money. You can already see that in gas prices. Hey, if we’re going to devalue our currency, why shouldn’t OPEC drive up the price of oil to compensate?

This country has been given a great gift by Western Europe — a chance to see what happens when nations spend beyond their means — and we’re squandering that gift. We’re following the same path.

Idaho’s 1st Congressional District Rep. Raul Labrador has been described by his Democratic opponent, Jimmy Farris, as a “one-trick pony” of sorts, obsessed with cutting spending. A Tea Party ideologue.

But in these times, Idaho needs to send someone to Congress who isn’t afraid to say “no” once in a while — even to pet causes traditionally championed by Republicans. It may be a cliché, but it’s true: America is at a crossroads. We either follow Western Europe down the rabbit hole of society-collapsing debt, or we make the tough choices necessary to remain solvent.

Labrador is the candidate best suited to represent Idahoans’ interests at such a pivotal junction in American history. He is a traditional conservative Republican on the issues, which aligns him with Canyon County voters, but his first allegiance is to balancing the budget, and his first questions when asked about proposed legislation are “how much will it cost” and “how are we going to pay for it.”

Critics will say he hasn’t been active in any significant legislation. He has sponsored a few bills dealing with land sovereignty and grazing rights, geothermal energy and amending the Endangered Species Act, but nothing that’s really gone anywhere. But then again, Congress has been in such a state of gridlock that nobody’s really getting any significant bills through these days.

Farris says he’s the right kind of person to end that gridlock — someone who can sit down and work with both sides to get things done and stop us from going over the fiscal cliff. He says it’s time to stop blaming each other and get to work. But then, in the next sentence, he’s blaming everything on Republicans.

“There is partisanship on both sides. There is plenty of blame to go around,” Farris says in a post on his website. Right next to that is another post, which says “It’s time for the GOP to stop playing party politics and put (the) economy first.” He agrees that spending cuts must be made, but then characterizes any serious proposals to do so as mean and cruel.

On the issues, Farris is basically party-line Democrat, and his demeanor is far more confrontational and unbending than his party’s predecessor, Walt Minnick, a more moderate Democrat who did work well with Republicans much of the time in his term from 2008 to 2010.

If Farris is serious about politics, he should start by running for state Legislature and show us what he’s got. Labrador did that and earned the respect needed for our nation’s House of Representatives. Football experience alone isn’t enough for Farris.

But he does have a point about bipartisan cooperation. Labrador wisely supports a balanced budget amendment, but his support of a debt ceiling agreement was contingent upon that amendment. That isn’t the best way to get things done in such a polarized environment. It might work if 70 percent of the country — and Congress — were conservative Republicans, but in such an evenly split nation, you have to compromise. Concede on a few things in order for a few concessions from the other side. Labrador should continue to fight for necessary spending cuts, but he should also be willing to consider some forms of revenue increases, as well.

He should also make sure he’s not missing so many votes. Labrador has missed almost twice the average. You, the public, need to have your interests represented in congressional votes. But, to be clear, he hasn’t missed any game-changing votes on major issues.

Restoring fiscal sanity to the nation will revitalize confidence in Americans who are losing it, and employers who worry about the future. It’s serious stuff, and it won’t be easy. A lot of Democrats and Republicans will be unhappy at some of the steps we’ll have to take to do it.

But it must be done. And Rep. Raul Labrador is the candidate best suited for it. Then we can argue about far less important things, like grazing rights, amendments to the Endangered Species Act, or who should pay for whose contraception.

* Our view is based on the majority opinions of the Idaho Press-Tribune editorial board. Members of the board are Publisher Matt Davison, Managing Editor Vickie Holbrook, Opinion Editor Phil Bridges and community members Kim Keller, Carlos Soriano, Timothy Brown, Taylor Raney, Ken Pieksma and Nicole Gibbs.

Read the article on the Idaho Press Tribune Website here 

RAUL LABRADOR

Labrador rode the conservative crest in 2010, one of a whopping 87 GOP freshmen to win a House seat in the midterm elections.

Amidst this crowd, the 1st District lawmaker has managed to do something unusual — if not unheard of — for a first-term Idaho House member. He has begun building a national profile.

Labrador has become a repeat guest on the Sunday morning talk show circuit. He has been among a group of Latino Republicans campaigning in swing states for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
With a background in immigration law, Labrador would be well-positioned to assume a key role on a sensitive issue that is critical to Idaho.

A bit of cachet, on the Beltway and beyond, can be a valuable thing. It equates to influence. When Idaho has but two votes in the House of Representatives, influence is an especially precious commodity.

We’d just want to see Labrador use it properly, particularly on fiscal matters.

Labrador’s instincts on the spending side are correct. He recognizes that the federal government will have to make some fundamental changes. And, to his credit, he’s consistent. If Democrats are going to have to make tough decisions on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, he says, Republicans must be willing to make tough decisions on military spending.

As far as that goes, he’s right. But Labrador’s unwillingness to consider a balanced approach to debt reduction — a combination of tough spending cuts and unpopular revenue increases — remains troubling.It may solidify Labrador’s standing among the House GOP’s tea party wing, but it just isn’t pragmatic.

Labrador faces only long-shot opposition this fall. Democratic challenger Jimmy Farris is familiar with long odds — the Lewiston native made his way to the NFL, collecting a Super Bowl ring in the process — but the first-time candidate is overmatched. We have some disagreements with Labrador, but considering the urgency of the fiscal crisis, this is no time to bring in a rookie.

Click here to read the article on the Idaho Statesman website

BOISE, ID. Congressman Raúl Labrador is honored to announce Majority Leader Eric Cantor, (R-VA-7) will be hosting a fund raiser in Boise on October 24th to benefit the Raúl Labrador for Idaho campaign.

Rep. Labrador said, “I am thrilled that Congressman Eric Cantor is coming to Idaho. He is a thoughtful and effective leader who understands the challenges Idaho families face everyday. I look forward to helping him become better acquainted with our great state.”

The event will include a small round table discussion with Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Congressman Raúl Labrador and a reception immediately following.

Yesterday I sat down with Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador at his office in Downtown Boise. I have met the Congressman many times and it’s always nice to see him. Thanks to the Congressman and his staff for making time for ICB.

ICB: What do you think about the IG’s report on Fast & Furious?

Labrador: It was very interesting. If you read the report everything we have been saying for a year and a half was confirmed in that report. That there was laxed supervision, that the Attorney General had no idea what he was doing, He was not getting reports from his underlings. They kind of gave the Attorney General and Lanny Brewer a pass, but other than that I think it was a really, really through report. Like I said in my testimony, my exchange with the Inspector General, we could have saved the last year and a half if they had just given us all the documentation in the beginning. They received about 100,000 pages of information. We received 7 to 12,000 pages of information. this was all information they could have given to congress and we wouldn’t have needed to have all the hearings we had. And I still question why the Attorney General continuously came to congress and deceived the American people in his testimony to congress. And it goes back to what I said initially, He’s either lying or he’s grossly incompetent. The report says that he’s not lying, that he really didn’t know. The report also says that he didn’t have the right people around him and the right information flowing up to him so he is grossly incompetent and I still think he should go.

ICB: Are you satisfied with the report? Did you get the information that you wanted?

Labrador: It’s gotten us a lot more information than we could get from the Department of Justice. Even the Inspector General went after the Department of Justice for not providing that information to us. He says that there was absolutely no justification for them not giving us the information.

ICB: Are any more heads going to roll, do you think it’s going to go any higher?

Labrador: I think it is what it is. It’s a political year, having the Attorney General resign right now in a scandal would not be good for Obama. I think they are going to wait until after the election to decide what they are going to do with the Attorney General. I don’t think anything is going to happen right now.

ICB: How do you feel about the Romney/Ryan ticket?

Labrador: I think it’s a great ticket. I’m a friend of Paul Ryan, I think he’s a great person I was really excited when he was selected because it made me feel that Romney was actually going to take on the issues that are important. I’ve been a little disappointed the last couple of weeks, they were sort of leaving Paul Ryan in the corner not really being Paul Ryan. They’re not letting Paul Ryan be Paul Ryan. It sounds like this week they are starting a major tour and I think Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney will be together more often which I actually think is a good thing. I don’t know if you have noticed but when Paul Ryan is with Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney is actually a better candidate. They play off of each other really really well. I predicted it was going to be Paul Ryan about two or three weeks before it happened and the reason was because of all the people that I saw with Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan was the only one that actually made him elevate his game. I still think it’s a wonderful choice and I hope they continue to work hard, I just think they have to start hitting Obama a little bit harder.

Coming up in Pt. 2 we discuss the Embassy/Libya uprising, Obama and Israel, Romney and Obama Debates, the campaign, and the Hispanic vote.

ICB Spotlight Interview; Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador Pt. 2
By Idaho Conservative Blogger
Thursday, September 27, 2012

ICB: What are your thoughts on the Libya/Embassy uprising in the Middle East?

Labrador: It’s outrageous and what I find the most outrageous is that if you look at the polling data, people actually believe Obama has been a good President when it comes to foreign policy.

He’s been the worst President when it comes to foreign policy. In fact, I haven’t heard any Republicans say this but look at what happened two weeks before the embassy. You had the Vice President of the United states going around bragging about the death of Osama Bin Laden. And now you have all these people dead at the embassy, you have all these riots and on every wall they are writing that there’s a thousand more Osama Bin Ladens. We as Americans, we don’t spike the football when we depose a leader. When we do the things we do in foreign policy we don’t go around bragging about the things that we do. You have the Vice President of the United States bragging for political reasons about the death of Osama Bin Laden and I think this caused the entire Middle East to go up in flames.

I think Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan need to hit them hard. Look at the data. Americans are divided about the economy because there is an argument to be made, it was George Bush who caused the collapse of the economy. I don’t agree with it but I understand how there’s an argument made for that, so Americans are 50/50 on the economy. They think that Obama’s policies are better, 50%. The other 50% think that Mitt Romney’s policies are better. Obama is beating Romney on foreign policy by 10 to 20 points. It shouldn’t even be close. He started with his Cairo speech apologizing for American supremacy and this is what, when you apologize for America this is what happens internationally and they should be hitting them and they should be hitting them hard on that issue. It had nothing to do with the movie.

I told the Romney team last week, I said you should have an ad that shows the Cairo speech, shows what happened in the Middle East, shows the Obama administration, what their excuses for what was happening was that they are now retracting. And then they need to have an empty chair and say you know maybe Clint Eastwood isn’t so crazy after all.

ICB: Do you think Obama supports Israel?

Labrador: You know it’s hard to tell , the other night on 60 minutes, now I don’t want to misquote him but that Israel is one of our biggest allies in that reign. Israel is not one of our biggest allies, Israel is our number one allie in the reign.
This week the President doesn’t have time to sit down with Netanyahu but he has time to sit down with the ladies on The View. Last week he had time to sit down with David Letterman and he’s not used to being questioned. If you watch the Univision interview, I thought they were pretty hard. I actually went to Florida when they interviewed Mitt Romney, and they were really had on Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney did really well because he was expecting a hard interview. Obama looked like he was floundering because he was not expecting a hard interview and they went after him and they went after him hard. It’s going to be interesting, I actually expect Romney to do pretty well in the debates. If we get the media to get of their duff and actually be reporters instead of cheerleaders for Obama. If they ask the tough questions Obama is going to have a hard time responding. He also has a thin skin, he doesn’t like to be criticized. Romney is pretty good, you know people complained during the primaries, he’s pretty good at getting under peoples skin.

ICB: I thought it was interesting that it was a big news story that Obama was asked tough questions on Univision.

Labrador: It was. It was incredible. He hasn’t had any tough questions in four years. I was actually pretty impressed. I didn’t think they were going to do that. They are upset about fast and furious and on immigration. I’ve gone around the country working for Mitt Romney to get him elected, working with the Hispanic community. I say, Obama made two promises to you. That you would have more jobs. That he would give you immigration reform. He failed with both. That’s gotta be the message.

ICB: What’s important that you want me to make sure my readers know?

Labrador: I think it’s important that your readers understand that I haven’t changed. I kept my promises, I kept my commitments, I kept my word. And the best complement that I get from my supporters here in Idaho is that you did exactly what you said you were going to do. That means more to me than anything. I’m really honest with who I am. I’m honest with what my policies are going to be and I think it’s important for Republicans to go back to D.C. and actually stand up for those conservative principles that they campaign on. And that’s one of the biggest disappointments that I’ve had, not everybody does that in Washington. They are good about coming back and saying that they are a proven conservative but then they go back to D.C. and they are somebody else.

People are not always going to agree with you 100%. And that’s what people need to understand. We get calls sometimes and they say, well he voted against this and I disagree with him and I’m not going to vote for him ever again. I’m like, your here with me on 99% of my votes but this one vote is going to cost you to not vote for me? People have to realize we can’t be 100% in agreement in all things. I’m going to do everything I can to keep taxes low, to keep spending low, and to make America prosper again. I’m going to work hard and it makes me unpopular back in Washington D.C. because I stand up for the things that are right. What Idahoans want. I stand up for them back in Washington D.C. The Leadership doesn’t like that.

ICB: You don’t need to be popular in Washington D.C. You need to be Popular in Idaho.

Labrador: Exactly!

WASHINGTON — Today, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee (CCAGW PAC) announced its endorsement of Rep. Raul Labrador, who is seeking re-election to Congress in Idaho.

“Vigilance on cutting deficits and reducing the debt has never been more essential,” said CCAGW PAC Chairman Tom Schatz. “Taxpayers need friends in Washington who will defend their interests, not the special interests. That is why the CCAGW PAC is supporting Rep. Labrador, who is a bona fide fiscal conservative committed to reducing the size of government by working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Rep. Labrador has been a principled advocate for lower taxes and smaller government and was designated a “Taxpayer Hero” in CCAGW’s 2011 Congressional Ratings for his score of 88 percent. “The CCAGW Congressional Ratings certify that he will strive to control spending, fight for lower taxes, and eradicate wasteful programs,” declared Schatz.

Rep. Labrador is an invaluable ally for taxpayers and for anyone who abhors wasteful, bloated government,” added Schatz. “He is a staunch advocate for free enterprise and for limited, efficient government, as evidenced by his votes to end misguided programs like $1.2 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine, $250 million for the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, and $200 million for the Essential Air Service.

“In the current political and fiscal climate, Congress has engaged in an historically unprecedented level of spending, and is supporting actions that will mortgage our children’s futures. On November 6, 2012, voters in Idaho should support Rep. Labrador, and other candidates like him, so that he can fight for fiscally conservative principles that will be vital to taxpayers in the 113th Congress,” concluded Schatz.

CCAGW PAC is affiliated with the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, a 501(c)(4) organization. CCAGW PAC’s mission is to support political candidates who will fight to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government and represent the best interests of taxpayers.

Kootenai County: Hayden Lake Country Club

Hosted by Dick Bennett and Jim Riley

CLICK HERE FOR INFO

Sponsorships available and include admission to VIP reception

(208) 777-1677

September 18th

Treasure Valley

Meridian, ID

Reception and Family event

Residence of Senator Russ and Mrs. Kara Fulcher

CLICK HERE FOR INFO

Sponsorships available and include admission to VIP reception

(208) 938-2500

September 25th

Nez Perce County

Lewiston, ID

Sponsorships available for this exclusive event

Hosted by John Taylor

(208) 791-8495

Thank you friends of the Sept 5th event in Hayden Lake!

HOSTS

Drs. Paul and Lorna Finman

Brent Regan

Dick Bennett

Marc Brinkmeyer

Paul Glader

GOLD SPONSORS

Dan and Kathryn Pinkerton

Greg Gervais

John Magnuson

Joe Ellithorpe

Pat and Bev Tebo

Preston & Carrie Hawkins

Jim Riley

SILVER SPONSORS

Randall and Christy Oetken

Dr. Spenser and Gail Greendyke

Eric Redman

Eve Knudtsen

Gary Frederickson

James Wogsland

Hon. Jim Clark

John and Angela Cross

Katie Brodie

Rep. Bob and Cathyanne Nonini

Ken and Roberta Chausse

Phil and Leslie Damiano

BRONZE SPONSORS

Bill and Kathy Booth

Dan Green

Dennis Wheeler

Helena and Ron Kahler

Jack & Mara’d Sjostrom

Kathy Sims

RAÚL LABRADOR FOR IDAHO FUND RAISER

AT THE FULCHER RESIDENCE

MERIDIAN, ID

Dear Friends,

The 2012 Election is just around the corner and Congressman Raúl Labrador is working hard to earn his re-election this fall. We will be having a fundraiser to support the re-election campaign on Tuesday, September 18^th.

You are invited to join Senator Russ and Mrs. Kara Fulcher as hosts or sponsors of the event.

An official invitation will follow:

Sponsors will be printed on the invitation and displayed at the event:

Platinum Sponsor- $2,500

10 Tickets to the Exclusive VIP Event and General Event

Gold Sponsor- $1,000

4 Tickets to the Exclusive VIP Event and General Event

Silver Sponsor- $500

2 Tickets to the Exclusive VIP Event and General Event

For Sponsorships Please contact the campaign office: (208) 938-2500

Sponsorships range in price from $250- $2,500 and include tickets to the VIP Reception from 6pm-7pm, your name displayed on the official invitation and at the event, and entry to the backyard main event from 7pm-9pm.

Please contact the campaign office at (208) 938-2500 if you would like to be a sponsor. Or send a check to Raúl Labrador for Idaho, P.O. Box 1616, Boise, ID 83701.

Official invitations will be sent in September.