Showing posts with label Rep. Chris Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rep. Chris Smith. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Letter: Support Josh Welle for U.S. Congress
Dear Editor:
Voters in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District who value equality and human rights should tell Trump-supporting Republican incumbent Congressman Chris Smith, "You're Fired", by casting their U.S. House of Representatives vote for Democratic candidate Joshua Welle, a respected U.S. Navy Veteran.
Joshua Welle won the Democratic Party primary to challenge draconian bigot Republican Congressman Chris Smith, who doesn't believe that LGBT couples should be allowed to adopt children, and instead Smith prefers to warehouse children in orphanages. If the voters don't stand up and throw Smith out of office, the district is effectively endorsing his hate. Smith is also unsurprisingly opposed to women's reproductive rights, so he clearly needs to go. Joshua Welle supports the rights of women and LGBT people, so voting for him should be an easy sell for anyone with an ounce of human decency.
Prior to retiring, I was an active leader in efforts to support LGBT students, staff, and faculty at Brookdale Community College. Yet Congressman Smith, whose district includes our campus community, shamefully opposes the environment of equality we sought to achieve.
The bottom line is, if you're a bigot who hates the gay community, incumbent Republican Chris Smith is your guy. If you believe all our diverse citizens must be treated with respect and dignity, Democrat Josh Welle is who will represent you in Congress.
Now that the lid has been blown off on Chris Smith's anti-LGBT extremist views, voters need to take action by electing Democratic candidate for U.S. House Josh Welle.
Carol "Kitty" Hafner (D)
Former Congressional Candidate
Box Elder, South Dakota
The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Pallone Admonishes Rep. Chris Smith’s Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement condemning the comments made by Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-04) at Colts Neck High School implying that children would be better off in orphanages than with LGBTQ parents.
“I am deeply outraged and offended by Congressman Smith’s bigoted views on LGBTQ adoption. Congressman Smith should know that LGBTQ parents are just simply that – parents. They are parents who provide every bit of love and care as their heterosexual neighbors. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Congressman Smith has dismissed the rights of LGBTQ Americans. He should apologize.
“My heart breaks for the young high school student who was told by Congressman Smith that her sister was somehow less deserving or qualified to be a parent. I am inspired by her courage in standing up to Congressman Smith. I know that the overwhelming majority of New Jerseyans stand with her.
“Today we are once again reminded that the fight for equality for LGBTQ Americans is far from over. Congressman Smith’s GOP colleagues and the Trump administration continue to discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, whether it be legalizing discrimination against LGBTQ persons seeking healthcare, banning transgender servicemembers from our military or nominating Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. We cannot allow this bigotry to stand and must work to ensure that LGBTQ Americans have legal and social equality in our country.”
Monday, February 9, 2015
NJ.Com Letter: Rep. Chris Smith Should Know LGBT People Are Humans With Rights
The following letter appeared on NJ.com over the weekend and let me just say that I am so glad that Frank Pallone Jr. is my congressman and not Chris Smith:
I am disturbed by our congressman's disregard for the civil rights of the men and women of my community. Rep. Chris Smith recently made the comment: "I am a strong believer in traditional marriage, and do not construe homosexual rights as human rights." To add further outrage, Rep. Smith is co-chairman of the House human rights subcommittee.
Rep. Smith's unkind comment implies there is a difference between the rights of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals and the rights of human beings. He has occupied New Jersey's District 4 congressional seat for 33 years. Smith portrays himself as a moderate Republican, but his position on social issues is of the most extreme in Congress on the rights of LGBT individuals and women. As Rep. Smith does not include his anti-LGBT and anti-women legislative work in his newsletter, I suspect he knows the majority of this community would not support his extreme agenda. I believe Rep. Smith is re-elected because voters are not aware of his disturbing record.
Rep. Smith's position is out of step with our community, out of step with New Jersey and out of step with most of America. Our representatives in Congress are elected by us to represent our values in Washington, D.C. They write laws and make policy that affect our daily lives. It is time to elect a new lawmaker in District 4 that truly represents the moderate views of this community.
Bari Rosenberg,
Manalapan
The writer is a member of the District 4 Coalition for Change.
I am disturbed by our congressman's disregard for the civil rights of the men and women of my community. Rep. Chris Smith recently made the comment: "I am a strong believer in traditional marriage, and do not construe homosexual rights as human rights." To add further outrage, Rep. Smith is co-chairman of the House human rights subcommittee.Rep. Smith's unkind comment implies there is a difference between the rights of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals and the rights of human beings. He has occupied New Jersey's District 4 congressional seat for 33 years. Smith portrays himself as a moderate Republican, but his position on social issues is of the most extreme in Congress on the rights of LGBT individuals and women. As Rep. Smith does not include his anti-LGBT and anti-women legislative work in his newsletter, I suspect he knows the majority of this community would not support his extreme agenda. I believe Rep. Smith is re-elected because voters are not aware of his disturbing record.
Rep. Smith's position is out of step with our community, out of step with New Jersey and out of step with most of America. Our representatives in Congress are elected by us to represent our values in Washington, D.C. They write laws and make policy that affect our daily lives. It is time to elect a new lawmaker in District 4 that truly represents the moderate views of this community.
Bari Rosenberg,
Manalapan
The writer is a member of the District 4 Coalition for Change.
Friday, October 17, 2014
APP LETTER: Smith on wrong side of women’s issues
The following is yet another anti-Chris Smith letter that appeared lately in the Asbury Park Press:
In response to the Sept. 20 letter regarding Rep. Chris Smith’s views on important issues, he is especially out of touch on women’s issues.
Smith voted against Equal Pay for Women, voted against the Violence Against Women’s Act, voted to outlaw the birth control pill and voted to block private insurance and flexible spending account money from covering contraception. He also wrote a bill (HR3) to redefine rape to forcible rape, which would decriminalize statutory rape. Drugged and raped, date rape and even incest of children would no longer be rape under Smith’s definition.
Smith is against a women’s right to choose even in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. He voted for fetal personhood, which would ban all oral contraceptives, in-vitro fertilization and stem cell research. It would also criminalize a women’s choice, regardless of the reason.
Incredibly, Smith has not lived in New Jersey for more than 30 years. He is not one of us nor has he shared our collective experience as a community with regard to 9/11, Hurricane Irene or superstorm Sandy. Having not lived through Sandy must be the reason Smith pledged not to support any climate change legislation unless it included a tax break for the biggest polluters, the Koch brothers. It’s nice he helped David Goldman get his son back in 2009, but that does not excuse his attack on women’s basic rights and all the rest.
Robin Nowicki
Manalapan
In response to the Sept. 20 letter regarding Rep. Chris Smith’s views on important issues, he is especially out of touch on women’s issues.
Smith voted against Equal Pay for Women, voted against the Violence Against Women’s Act, voted to outlaw the birth control pill and voted to block private insurance and flexible spending account money from covering contraception. He also wrote a bill (HR3) to redefine rape to forcible rape, which would decriminalize statutory rape. Drugged and raped, date rape and even incest of children would no longer be rape under Smith’s definition.
Smith is against a women’s right to choose even in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. He voted for fetal personhood, which would ban all oral contraceptives, in-vitro fertilization and stem cell research. It would also criminalize a women’s choice, regardless of the reason.
Incredibly, Smith has not lived in New Jersey for more than 30 years. He is not one of us nor has he shared our collective experience as a community with regard to 9/11, Hurricane Irene or superstorm Sandy. Having not lived through Sandy must be the reason Smith pledged not to support any climate change legislation unless it included a tax break for the biggest polluters, the Koch brothers. It’s nice he helped David Goldman get his son back in 2009, but that does not excuse his attack on women’s basic rights and all the rest.
Robin Nowicki
Manalapan
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
RUNYAN, SMITH & LOBIONDO FACED TOMORROW WITH 2 CONTRASTING TAX VOTES & A CLEAR CHOICE: WILL THEY STAND WITH MIDDLE-CLASS OR MILLIONAIRES?
(NEW JERSEY) – With taxes set to automatically increase by $2,200 for average American families on January 1st, patience for more political games and inaction by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is at an end. SJ Citizens For Change today called on Congressmen Jon Runyan (NJ-3) Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2) to do the right thing for New Jersey by prioritizing the middle-class over millionaires.
Tomorrow, votes are expected to take place in the U.S. House on two contrasting tax bills: 1) a responsible bill already passed in the Senate that would immediately extend the Bush Tax Cuts only on incomes under $250,000 for a couple and $200,000 for an individual; and 2) the so-called “Plan B” bill put forward by Republican House leadership which would recklessly perpetuate tax cuts for the wealthiest few – and in fact would give millionaires an average $50,000 tax break - while at the same time raising taxes by an average of $1,000 on 25 million working families with children and students.
The irresponsibility of the Republican alternative doesn’t stop there. Compared to the Senate-passed middle-class tax cuts bill, “Plan B” would generate $400 billion less in high-income revenue to address our long-term budget challenges and for critical investments that create and sustain jobs. Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo are strongly urged to vote YES on the Senate-passed middle class tax relief bill and NO on “Plan B” – which is nothing but a Trojan horse for more tax breaks for millionaires, while punishing the middle-class.
“By now, Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo should know better and understand what their constituents really want,” said Eric Kipnis, volunteer organizer with The Action and Director of SJ Citizens For Change. “These Republican representatives know their party’s position of holding up middle-class tax relief in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires is wildly unpopular and the public will hold them responsible if Congress allows taxes to go up on every American family.”
“Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo shouldn’t ring in the New Year by dropping the ball on middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, New Jersey spokesman for The Action. “Speaker Boehner’s ‘Plan B’ is not a serious alternative and flies in the face of the tax fairness the public is demanding. It’s no laughing matter for GOP leadership to obnoxiously propose a $50,000 tax break for millionaires while raising taxes on the middle-class.”
Come midnight on December 31st, GOP inaction will have serious consequences for New Jersey’s families and small businesses. Blame will fall squarely at the feet of Congressional Republicans if families across New Jersey have $2,200 less in their pockets and find themselves deciding between buying groceries or filling a prescription.
Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo have a golden opportunity to avoid economic hardship for their constituents - and political fallout for themselves - by approving the Senate bill to immediately extend tax relief to 98% of the American people and 97% of small businesses.
Tomorrow, votes are expected to take place in the U.S. House on two contrasting tax bills: 1) a responsible bill already passed in the Senate that would immediately extend the Bush Tax Cuts only on incomes under $250,000 for a couple and $200,000 for an individual; and 2) the so-called “Plan B” bill put forward by Republican House leadership which would recklessly perpetuate tax cuts for the wealthiest few – and in fact would give millionaires an average $50,000 tax break - while at the same time raising taxes by an average of $1,000 on 25 million working families with children and students.
The irresponsibility of the Republican alternative doesn’t stop there. Compared to the Senate-passed middle-class tax cuts bill, “Plan B” would generate $400 billion less in high-income revenue to address our long-term budget challenges and for critical investments that create and sustain jobs. Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo are strongly urged to vote YES on the Senate-passed middle class tax relief bill and NO on “Plan B” – which is nothing but a Trojan horse for more tax breaks for millionaires, while punishing the middle-class.
“By now, Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo should know better and understand what their constituents really want,” said Eric Kipnis, volunteer organizer with The Action and Director of SJ Citizens For Change. “These Republican representatives know their party’s position of holding up middle-class tax relief in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires is wildly unpopular and the public will hold them responsible if Congress allows taxes to go up on every American family.”
“Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo shouldn’t ring in the New Year by dropping the ball on middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, New Jersey spokesman for The Action. “Speaker Boehner’s ‘Plan B’ is not a serious alternative and flies in the face of the tax fairness the public is demanding. It’s no laughing matter for GOP leadership to obnoxiously propose a $50,000 tax break for millionaires while raising taxes on the middle-class.”
Come midnight on December 31st, GOP inaction will have serious consequences for New Jersey’s families and small businesses. Blame will fall squarely at the feet of Congressional Republicans if families across New Jersey have $2,200 less in their pockets and find themselves deciding between buying groceries or filling a prescription.
Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo have a golden opportunity to avoid economic hardship for their constituents - and political fallout for themselves - by approving the Senate bill to immediately extend tax relief to 98% of the American people and 97% of small businesses.
****************
South Jersey Citizens For Change is one of over 150 national, state and local organizations part of The Action – a grassroots movement calling for the end of the Bush-era tax breaks for the richest 2 percent that have for too long shortchanged critical investments that create and sustain jobs. December 1st marked the first major national day of action of the movement, with over 100 events taking place in 30 states pressuring Members of Congress to put middle class before millionaires.
Monday, November 5, 2012
People versus PACs
Given the storm and short time until election, this is likely the last- and shortest- request I can make. But it is critical.
I received a copy of Rep Chris Smith’s slick, 4 page, extra sized, mail brochure that was delivered on Saturday. It contains some astounding claims.
-He claims to be a “steadfast... defender of Social Security and Medicare” although he voted to privatize and voucherize these programs, slash Medicaid, and end many senior programs.
-He claims to protect women when women groups reject his claims of support and consider him a virulent opponent.
-He heralds his fight for curing diseases but not his fight against Obamacare.
-He features a headline about FEMA, a department and budget that he and Republicans voted to slash and vow to eliminate along with the Department of Education.
-He talks about his tax relief and job creation efforts but fails to mention that the plans he has supported, and continues to support, favor the wealthy and will continue to devastate the economy and cost jobs. His district has some of the highest unemployment in the country.
But it is a slick, impressive and expensive brochure to produce and deliver. He is funded by many organizations- and even some unions- that feel they have to deal with him since he is the incumbent and favorite to be re-elected.
I can’t match Smith’s funding from PACs and other sources. I depend on people to spread the truth and to be more powerful and effective than PACs and fancy brochures.
While I know many are still caught in Sandy’s grip, I ask for your help over these next 24 hours so that we can all have a better future.
Please be safe out there- and don't forget to VOTE.
Brian Froelich,
Democratic Candidate for US Congress (NJ, 4th Dist.)
http://www.froelich4congress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrianFroelichForCongress
I received a copy of Rep Chris Smith’s slick, 4 page, extra sized, mail brochure that was delivered on Saturday. It contains some astounding claims.
-He claims to be a “steadfast... defender of Social Security and Medicare” although he voted to privatize and voucherize these programs, slash Medicaid, and end many senior programs.
-He claims to protect women when women groups reject his claims of support and consider him a virulent opponent.
-He heralds his fight for curing diseases but not his fight against Obamacare.
-He features a headline about FEMA, a department and budget that he and Republicans voted to slash and vow to eliminate along with the Department of Education.
-He talks about his tax relief and job creation efforts but fails to mention that the plans he has supported, and continues to support, favor the wealthy and will continue to devastate the economy and cost jobs. His district has some of the highest unemployment in the country.
But it is a slick, impressive and expensive brochure to produce and deliver. He is funded by many organizations- and even some unions- that feel they have to deal with him since he is the incumbent and favorite to be re-elected.
I can’t match Smith’s funding from PACs and other sources. I depend on people to spread the truth and to be more powerful and effective than PACs and fancy brochures.
While I know many are still caught in Sandy’s grip, I ask for your help over these next 24 hours so that we can all have a better future.
Please be safe out there- and don't forget to VOTE.
Brian Froelich,
Democratic Candidate for US Congress (NJ, 4th Dist.)
http://www.froelich4congress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrianFroelichForCongress
Friday, August 17, 2012
TO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ANNA LITTLE AND CHRIS SMITH...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The following is a release from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal on behalf of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (Monmouth-6) and Brian Froelich (Monmouth-4) - Democratic Candidates for US Congress in Monmouth County:
"This week, Joe Kyrillos broke from the Republican Party’s stalwart position against raising any taxes, even on the wealthiest people and most profitable corporations in America. However, when the GOP establishment attacked his stance, Joe Kyrillos quickly backtracked. This incident does raise an important question that effects all NJ voters – where does our the Republican Senate Candidate stand on the issue of tax fairness and where do the Republican Members of Congress and candidates stand on this issue. New Jersey Democrats have consistently been leaders on this issue, pushing for a millionaires tax that would ask everyone to pay their fair share.
Now is the time to ask these Republicans where they stand – do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who has spent over 2 decades in Trenton protecting the wealthy at the expense of New Jersey’s working families and opposed the Millionaires tax? Or do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who seems to only have existed only for one newspaper report and realized that he was on the wrong side of NJ families in his repeatedly demonstrated opposition to a millionaires tax."
The following is a release from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal on behalf of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (Monmouth-6) and Brian Froelich (Monmouth-4) - Democratic Candidates for US Congress in Monmouth County:
"This week, Joe Kyrillos broke from the Republican Party’s stalwart position against raising any taxes, even on the wealthiest people and most profitable corporations in America. However, when the GOP establishment attacked his stance, Joe Kyrillos quickly backtracked. This incident does raise an important question that effects all NJ voters – where does our the Republican Senate Candidate stand on the issue of tax fairness and where do the Republican Members of Congress and candidates stand on this issue. New Jersey Democrats have consistently been leaders on this issue, pushing for a millionaires tax that would ask everyone to pay their fair share.
Now is the time to ask these Republicans where they stand – do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who has spent over 2 decades in Trenton protecting the wealthy at the expense of New Jersey’s working families and opposed the Millionaires tax? Or do they stand with the Joe Kyrillos who seems to only have existed only for one newspaper report and realized that he was on the wrong side of NJ families in his repeatedly demonstrated opposition to a millionaires tax."
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Congratulations Tea Party "Constitutionalists"
Does anyone today remember taking Civics, Social Studies or History classes while going to school? Evidently not.
You and I learned that a bill becomes a law only after it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Frank LoBiondo, Jon Runyan, Scott Garrett, Chris Smith, and Leonard Lance have invented a new theory of government:
Yes, if the Senate fails to vote for a bill that means it becomes law! Congratulations Tea Party "Constitutionalists," you have hit the jackpot with your Representatives.
If they had, they would know that the only way a law is enacted in this country is that it needs to receive approval from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before moving on to be signed by the President of the United States.
Somehow however, there are some in the House of Representatives that have forgotten this process and I am embarrassed to admit, that some of those that have forgotten their civics lessons are from New Jersey.
You and I learned that a bill becomes a law only after it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Frank LoBiondo, Jon Runyan, Scott Garrett, Chris Smith, and Leonard Lance have invented a new theory of government:
If the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the departments and agencies of the Government for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, the provisions of H.R. 1, as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, are hereby enacted into law.
Yes, if the Senate fails to vote for a bill that means it becomes law! Congratulations Tea Party "Constitutionalists," you have hit the jackpot with your Representatives.
Hat tip goes to Hopeful over at Blue Jersey on this one!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
4th Congressional Candidate Zeitz, adresses attendees at Chairman's Ball
Democratic Candidate for NJ's 4th Congressional district, Josh Zeitz, was a guest at the 19th Annual Monmouth County Chairman's ball Friday night at the Buttonwood Manor in Matawan.
Zeitz has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “races to watch” list.
The placement could put Zeitz, who’s challenging long-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), on deck to receive fundraising help from the DCCC over the next two months.
The placement could put Zeitz, who’s challenging long-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), on deck to receive fundraising help from the DCCC over the next two months.
Josh was very excited about his prospects to unseat Chris Smith in the 4th district and the crowd picked up on his enthusiasm.
Watch the video and see for yourself!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
RADICAL RIGHT -- REP.CHRIS SMITH: 'OUR STUDENTS MUST FIND THE GOD OF THE BIBLE AND BIBLICAL VALUES IN THE CLASSROOM'
Think Progress-The Progress Report
At a reception in St. Paul, MN on Wednesday for Catholic Republicans, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- a fierce opponent of abortion -- said that he is "very concerned that many of our schools and universities have lost their way." They have become "bastions of moral relativism and moral compromise with the culture of death." As a solution, Smith suggested that "students must find the God of the Bible and Biblical values in the classroom." "Our schools need to become oases of goodness," said Smith. Smith's call for "Biblical values in the classroom" could easily be interpreted as a call for the promotion of Christianity in American schools. But, as the First Amendment Center has pointed out, "the courts have been clear that public school teachers cannot teach religion to their students or read the Bible to the class as a way of promoting their faith." Smith's comments appear to be even more radical than Rep. Steve King's (R-IA) claim last year that "every child" in American schools needs to learn "the tenets of the Christian faith." While King conceded that if "the tenets of Christianity" are to be taught in school, "other faiths" should be taught as well, Smith said no such thing.
At a reception in St. Paul, MN on Wednesday for Catholic Republicans, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- a fierce opponent of abortion -- said that he is "very concerned that many of our schools and universities have lost their way." They have become "bastions of moral relativism and moral compromise with the culture of death." As a solution, Smith suggested that "students must find the God of the Bible and Biblical values in the classroom." "Our schools need to become oases of goodness," said Smith. Smith's call for "Biblical values in the classroom" could easily be interpreted as a call for the promotion of Christianity in American schools. But, as the First Amendment Center has pointed out, "the courts have been clear that public school teachers cannot teach religion to their students or read the Bible to the class as a way of promoting their faith." Smith's comments appear to be even more radical than Rep. Steve King's (R-IA) claim last year that "every child" in American schools needs to learn "the tenets of the Christian faith." While King conceded that if "the tenets of Christianity" are to be taught in school, "other faiths" should be taught as well, Smith said no such thing.
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