Meet Candidate Jim Rutledge for U.S. Senate for Maryland

James Rutledge III is a candidate for U.S. Senate from Maryland, looking to unseat incumbent Barbara Mikulski this year. The soul of his campaign is the defense of freedom, which is necessary to solve the problems created by over-reaching government in all aspects of American life.

Childhood
Mr. Rutledge was raised on a cattle farm in Harford County. He said, “My upbringing was very much oriented toward hard work and community service. My father was a veterinarian, so we had both the farm and veterinarian practice. It was all hands on deck with the whole family to keep both the family businesses going.”

“We are salt of the earth people, attended church regularly, and were involved with Boy Scouts and recreational sports. I learned that hard work, perseverance, honesty, and integrity would ultimately pay off.”

Education
Mr. Rutledge graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia before earning his law degree from the University of Maryland, graduating with honors in the top ten percent of his class.

Family
He has been married for 25 years to his wife Kim, and has two nearly grown children.

Experience
Mr. Rutledge currently has his own law practicein Jarrettsville. Over the span of his career, he has handled cases involving a diverse range of issues including constitutional law, eminent domain, civil rights, health care law, agricultural preservation, as well as working with the elderly and disabled, and Baltimore’s poor and disenfranchised.

He said, “My experience has given me a substantial view of how the Constitution gets argued, manipulated, twisted; and how off-track we’ve become from the original intent. It gives me a unique perspective that underpins my conservative credentials on being very serious about holding the line on federal power.”

His volunteer work in the community includes founding a Habitat for Humanity Chapter, working for the sight and hearing impaired in the Jarrettsville Lions Club where he served as President, and serving as a youth lacrosse coach for many years.

Mr. Rutledge also has experience in the realm of politics as an activist on behalf of conservative candidates during his ten years as an attorney in Georgia.

Military service
Mr. Rutledge comes from a family rich in military service. Having a brother, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and two cousins who served gives him a deep appreciation for the sacrifices for freedom made by our men and women in uniform.

Why Mr. Rutledge is running for office
“I determined after the inauguration that the handwriting was on the wall with what our senators and congressmen were going to do to us. This year is a special opportunity for Senator Mikulski to show her true colors. It is an opportunity to be in the senate for the first time in her career with a filibuster-proof majority and Democratic president. She now has the opportunity to pass bills that reflect her far left philosophies.”

“I passionately feel we need to have strong, bold leadership in Maryland to say we can stop the madness. We will not be ashamed of believing in individual freedoms and the Constitution. We have to recognize that the socialist, liberal policies will forever change America.”

“I already have a great and satisfying job, a successful law practice. I’m not looking for a career. There was a serious contemplation on my part as to what could I do to help spread the message in Maryland that we can set politics on a new path. I came to the conclusion that Senator Mikulski’s seat was such an opportunity for a new face to propose a better way. When I evaluated the options of finding a candidate to support or running myself, I recognized that the Republican Party in Maryland was facing some serious setbacks. We need to have an articulate challenge to Mikulski. I didn’t want to see conservatives not have a voice in the senate race. I wanted to build something that would be based on ideas and convictions.”

“I’m calling out to people who have not been previously involved to say this is the year to get involved. I’m a tea party type candidate. I’m Joe Citizen who stepped forward to say I believe in the citizen legislator. We need folks who aren’t looking for careers to offer themselves to serve.”

Influences in developing his political philosophy
At about age 30, Mr. Rutledge switched from Democratic to Republican, saying, “I had seen an irreversible shift in the Democratic Party to some very hard left policies, so that I couldn’t justify any more in my staying with the party.”

Mr. Rutledge describes himself as a Reagan conservative with Constitutional leanings.

“I was in high school after the 60s revolution, but I have a very clear memory of the civil rights struggles that had gone on in the 60s. That shaped my view of humanity as being God’s creation no matter what their skin color. Opportunity is critical, but the welfare state is not a good thing for people. So it became an issue of providing opportunity without forfeiting individual liberties in the process. That really brought me to pursue a career in law.”

“My campaign is an extension of an optimism that we can make a difference and share the American dream for all citizens if we stick to the basics of our liberties as framed out by our founders.”

Most important issues
     Economy
“We need to provide a setting for good job creation. I am an advocate of tax cuts to stimulate the economy, not deficit spending which is counterproductive and destructive. I believe strongly in responsible spending and getting the government out of the regulatory business. Small business and entrepreneurship are front and center for long-term job creation.”

     National security
“I believe strongly in having policies that look out for U.S. interests as number one. Energy independence really is a national security issue. We need to create energy using our resources here, utilizing domestic oil, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, and other alternative forms of energy. Terrorism is not a criminal problem, it is a national security threat. We need to stop having open borders that allow so many to live off the system. Citizenship is a very valuable thing.”

     Individual liberties
“We must defend our right to be able to freely and boldly speak out on our viewpoints without any threat or notion that our government disapproves of our speech. On public education, we get educators more and more who want to indoctrinate children into a viewpoint of a big government, socialist system. We need to focus on the basics of reading, writing, math, and science, not continuing to spend money on socially driving people’s thought. It deprives parents of their fundamental right to educate their children.”

“What drives me most is my yearning for people to be free and informed, and for them to grab this unique opportunity to self govern before we get to a point that the government is controlling every aspect of our lives.”

Upcoming event
Dave Wallace of WCBM is sponsoring a “New Year Fundraiser for Rutledge” this Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Deer Park Center in Randallstown. The cost is $50 per person. RSVP to Dave Wallace at 410-984-2194 or Lisa Fitzhugh at 410-409-4246 or just show up!

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9345-Baltimore-County-Republican-Examiner~y2010m1d5-Candidate-profile–Meet-Jim-Rutledge-for-US-Senate

Subject: HR 615 – Please forward to everyone you know – This is our chance – This would force Congress to accept same Healthcare as us.

Subject: HR 615 – Please forward to everyone you know – This is our chance.

Here is one time when the people can make their feelings known.

HR 615

On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page
amendment, courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn which would require all Members of
Congress and their staff members to enroll in any new government-run health
plan.

Congressman John Fleming has proposed an amendment that would require
Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force
on us. (Under proposed legislation they are exempt.)

Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go to his Website and sign his
petition.  The process is very simple.  I have done just that at:
http://fleming.house.gov/index.html

Senator Coburn and Congressman Fleming are both physicians.  Regardless of your
political beliefs, it sure seems reasonable that Congress should have exactly
the same medical coverage that they impose on the rest of us.

Please urge as many people as you can to do the same.

Best Regards

Ron Ferraro

Iowa flirting with No Permit Needed Concealed Carry

 

Iowa flirting with No Permit Needed Concealed Carry
In the middle of America, you wouldn’t expect it to be so difficult to get a concealed carry permit. But in Iowa, it is — especially if the local sheriff doesn’t like you.

That’s why I’m glad to introduce you to a great new organization fighting on this issue. Iowa Gun Owners has been pushing for a major reform of Iowa’s “Might Issue” concealed carry laws.

Not since Alaska (in 2003) has a state passed a no-permit-needed concealed carry law, enacting real carry freedom for law-abiding gun owners.

Iowa Gun Owners burst on to the scene in their rural state because for too long nothing had been done about their atrocious gun laws.

Compared to most of the smaller states, Iowa has some of the worst firearms laws in America, and no one in power seemed to care (though local gun owners have wanted change for years).

But in early 2009, State Rep. Kent Sorenson (R-Indianola) sponsored a bill to end the demand that Iowans beg permission to carry concealed.

And Iowa Gun Owners took action.

Surprising pundits throughout the state, Iowa Gun Owners brought Sorensen’s bill within 1 vote of passing their State House.

Now, in an effort to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the institutional gun lobby has offered a “compromise.” To many, that comes as no surprise, but it will spell defeat for any real concealed carry reform in Iowa.

Why would I write every gun owner in America for help on this issue?

First, Iowa is truly a pivotal state. Its early Straw Poll and Caucuses make it our nation’s most watched political barometer.

Second, rarely does the chance come to pass historic legislation like this.

Every freedom lover in America should be excited about the possibility.

It’s not just about one more “Shall Issue” state, but rather it’s about Iowa becoming a bellwether for liberty in the very heart of our nation.

I often hear “the Second Amendment is my permit to carry”, and I couldn’t agree more. What, after all, is the right to “bear arms”, in a modern context, if it is not to carry concealed?

But those are just empty words if the law makes a mockery of the Constitution.

With that in mind, I encourage everyone who truly embraces the Second Amendment’s right to “bear arms” without infringement to jump on board and help out Iowa Gun Owners.

Seriously, it’s that important.

To carry the tools of self-defense in Vermont and Alaska, you don’t have to undergo a background enema, be fingerprinted like a common criminal, pay for state-mandated firearms training or have your name and address end up on some list.

You don’t have to beg for your God-given rights. That’s what the Second Amendment REALLY means!

Unfortunately, some of the elitist gun owners in America — the head-honchos of the institutional gun lobby — have trouble understanding that. In many states, they even directly oppose Vermont-Alaska real concealed carry.

Their opposition to freedom is nothing but a self-serving “I’ve got mine” attitude, seasoned with a dash of “not EVERYONE should be able to carry a gun.”

But let’s examine that attitude: it means they don’t really oppose gun control.

They just oppose gun control when it’s imposed on them. Give them their own little tin-pot dictatorship, and they’re happy to limit your freedom.

Understand that real concealed carry doesn’t allow a criminal to carry concealed legally, since that criminal is already ineligible to possess a firearm in the first place. Enacting a Vermont-Alaska law simply affirms a God-given right, which is secured by the U.S. Constitution and all but 6 state constitutions.

While it’s true that permitless carry does not provide a mechanism to carry across friendly state lines, it does remove the hoops-and-hurdles in the home state. If one is worried about reciprocity acquiring a permit will still be an option.

So what can you do to help?

Donate to Iowa Gun Owners with a one-time gift through NAGR’s special Iowa Freedom! Donation Page. Or, if you prefer, donate directly to Iowa Gun Owners.

As a fledgling group run by a young man of the highest integrity, Iowa Gun Owners is an organization I fully endorse — in fact, I believe it’s so important to help Iowa Gun Owners that I’ve donated directly to them myself.

So join me in making a generous contribution today!

In Liberty,
Dudley Brown
Executive Director
National Association for Gun Rights

Maryland Democrats bow to the Pressure of The People – No Pay Raises

From Maryland Senate Republican Caucus

In response to harsh Republican opposition and taxpayer outrage, the
Democrat leadership of the Maryland General Assembly issued a statement
today and conceded that there will be no proposals to increase legislative
compensation over the next four-year term.

Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman issued the following statement with
regard to the recommendations of the Maryland General Assembly Compensation
Commission:

“With so much hardship facing Maryland’s taxpayers, now is not the time
for legislators to consider pay increases or other enhanced compensation.
Unfortunately, historic tax increases and bad policy decisions by Governor
O’Malley has significantly added to the fiscal burden that has been placed
on Maryland’s citizens.  While Republican legislators have strongly
opposed this “tax and spend” mentality, the Democrat majority has
rubber-stamped the O’Malley agenda instead of stopping this economic
“piling on” of our fiscally-stressed taxpayers. Maryland taxpayers are
absolutely correct when they express their outrage on this process.”

Senator Don Munson wakes up to the Technology Age and Gets a Facebook Fan Page

It’s a shame that most of the fans on his Fans site is mostly Democratic voters.  What does that tell you about Senator Donald Munson, it tells you that Washington County needs to wake up and smell the Conservative Roses of True Conservative Values.  Don Munson has left his Conservative Values at the door when he enters the assembly.

He forgets what is best for you.  He votes for Illegal Immigration dollars, might I add, that’s your tax payer dollars.  He voted in favor of Speed Cameras, most of Washington County did not want this at all.  He voted for the Millionaires Tax Increase and we see how well that helped Washington County with a 30 percent drop off in Tax Rates from the Wealthy.

All  and all, Senator Munson has forgotten his roots as a Politician and his sidekick Ryan Miner has already begun to spread falsehoods about Delegate Shank.  Nice Campaign your running there Ryan R Miner.  I think you need to go back and learn how to run a campaign of Facts and not Fiction.  While you are at, why not defend your boss on his support for Illegal Immigration and Casa De Maryland which received our Tax Dollars.  Washington County funds Illegals to the cost of 36 million a year.  Can you defend that?  No, it was reported by the Maryland Dept of Planning along with FAIR.  I guess you didn’t get that notice. 

Happy New Year.

If the Governor’s Election was held today, who would you vote for?

Washington County Poll – Who would you vote for Senator?

Shank to go after Munson’s state Senate seat – Excellent Article From Erin Cunningham of The Gazette

Shank to go after Munson’s state Senate seat

Hagerstown delegate says it’s time for ‘new leadership’

by Erin Cunningham | Staff Writer

http://www.gazette.net/stories/01042010/polinew172725_32547.php

Maryland governor’s race could feature 2 from Ehrlich team – O’Malley in Fear of Political End

Maryland governor’s race could feature 2 from Ehrlich team

By John Wagner

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 3, 2010

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/02/AR2010010201794.html

Once Again, O’Malley Tries to Mask Broken Promise – This Time on Electric Rates

 

December 21, 2009 Once Again, O’Malley Tries to Mask Broken Promise – This Time on Electric Rates

 

Contact: Steve Crim (410) 353-3116

Today, Larry Hogan responded to Martin O’Malley’s newest attempt to distract voters from his record of failure and broken promises. This week, O’Malley’s showboating in the press involved electricity rates, which have risen by 90% since he became governor.

“It’s becoming really predictable,” said Larry Hogan. “To try to reverse sinking poll numbers, O’Malley is willing to promise anything, like lower electricity rates, or create meaningless small business government task forces. Governor O’Malley has always been good with rhetoric, it’s his record that has caused his wide-spread unpopularity.”

“Voters will not forget O’Malley’s disingenuous promise during the last campaign,” Hogan continued. “He was elected primarily because of TV commercials promising to stop the BGE rate hikes. But after three years of grandstanding and showboating, rates have risen 90%, far more than they were ever projected to rise.”

“Meanwhile, O’Malley and the pro-tax Democrats that run the General Assembly have passed multiple regulations and taxes on energy production, delivery, and usage,” Hogan said. “These actions will only serve to raise rates even further.”

“Again it comes back to showing real leadership and tackling problems in a comprehensive way,” concluded Hogan. “A quick fix of artificially limiting electricity rates is not a real solution. If O’Malley is serious about easing the burden on working families, he will roll back the crushing tax burden and stop using energy policy to regulate behavior.”