Labor Day was an enjoyable time for many of us celebrating the last holiday of the summer and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, it was also a poignant reminder that many people are unemployed in the U.S. and Georgia.

According to figures released Friday by the Department of Labor, the U.S. lost 54,000 jobs in August, mostly due to the layoffs of census workers and their return to the workforce. While the private sector added 67,000 jobs, the government job losses kept the national unemployment rate at 9.6 percent. 14.9 million people are unemployed. When you add in the number of people who have given up looking for work, real unemployment is over 17 percent.

Things are even worse in Georgia. The latest figures for the state are for July, when statewide unemployment stood at 9.9 percent, which is above the national average. It was well over 10 percent earlier this year, and the July decline was due primarily to the number of people who have stopped looking for jobs. Over half of unemployed Georgians have been out of work six months or more.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor, in the rural parts of the 12th District, July unemployment was just under 12 percent!

Everywhere I go, people are asking “Where are the jobs?” Those who don’t have jobs are having a tough time finding them, and those who do have jobs are worried about losing them. And the prospects aren’t getting any better, with many economists predicting a double-dip recession.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be traveling throughout the 12th District to unveil my plan for putting Georgians back to work. I’ll save the details for later, but let’s just say the main emphasis is on stopping job-killing tax hikes, lowering the tax burden on families and small businesses, reducing spending, and easing regulations. I hope to meet and talk with many of you then.

Yours for a healthy economy and a better Georgia,

Ray McKinney

“As the son of a Vietnam War veteran, it only makes sense that people who are willing to die for their country should be able to have a beer or glass of wine on base, especially in time of war,” said McKinney.

HR 5958, introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) in July, would allow active duty service members aged 18 to 20 to consume beer and wine at restaurants and enlisted clubs on military bases. The bill would not allow sale of beer or wine to minors at convenience stores and base exchanges on base.

“I certainly believe men and women who are responsible enough to risk their lives in defense of their country can be trusted to drink responsibly,” said McKinney. “I understand some GOP House members don’t agree, but I support my friend Jack Kingston on this issue.”

Kingston represents the neighboring First Congressional District.

“In 2007, John Barrow took to the floor of the House to declare his opposition to the troop surge initiated by President Bush,” said McKinney (R-Lyons). Now President Obama and the Democrats are taking credit for ending the war. It’s disingenuous to take credit for an accomplishment brought about by a military action they opposed by a President they tried to thwart at every turn.”

McKinney continuted, “If Obama and Barrow had been successful in their opposition to the surge, more troops and civilians would have been killed and the U.S. would have left Iraq in disgrace and defeat. They would have had blood on their hands.”

McKinney said he’s very concerned that as combat troops leave, violence is continuing and escalating and the Iraqis have failed to form a government six months after the election.

“Frankly, I think the President is declaring victory prematurely,” said McKinney. “I believe there’s a real possibility U.S. combat troops will have to return to quell violence and stabilize the situation so an effective government can be formed.”

In his speech to the nation from the newly redecorated Oval Office, Obama called on the country to turn to solving its domestic problems, especially the economy.

“The problem with that is the policies being pushed by Obama, Barrow and the Democrats are killing jobs, and many economists believe we are on the verge of a double dip recession,” said McKinney. “What is needed is for our leaders to embrace solutions that work: cut spending, reduce taxes, and ease burdensome regulations. Only then will our country be able to get back on track.”

“I have a message for Mr. Barrow—we’re coming for you next!” McKinney told cheering supporters at his victory party in this suburb of Savannah. McKinney, 48, a nuclear energy project manager from Lyons, garnered over 62 percent of the vote and won 20 of 22 counties in the Republican primary runoff against Thunderbolt volunteer fire chief Carl Smith. McKinney creating jobs is the main issue of the general election campaign.

“Jobs are fleeing the 12th District, tackled by higher taxes, and our energy dependence is greater than when Barrow took his seat from a real conservative,” said McKinney in his victory speech. “We the people are tired of these politics and these job killing policies. John Barrow must go!”

Over 22,000 voters participated in the Republican congressional runoff, an 80 percent retention rate from the July 10th primary vote. McKinney pointed out the re-election results show the conservative base in the district is energized and poised to win in November. “Our campaign will be one of positive solutions. Getting my neighbors theirjobs back is priority one. My platform is simple: cut spending, cut taxes,create jobs, and protect liberty. I will get the job done.”

Vidalia, GA—After finishing a notable first in Tuesday’s Primary Election, Ray McKinney took time to express his overwhelming gratitude to the many people who supported him.

According to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s office:

• Ray received 42.6 percent of the vote, nearly 15 percentage points higher than his nearest competitor.
• Ray carried 18 of 22 counties in the district.
• The strongest county percentage-wise was Toombs, where he received 67 percent of the vote.
• In Chatham, Ray finished in second place, just 119 votes behind the leader. That was much better than expected, since his three challengers were all from Chatham.
• 27,458 people voted in the Republican Primary compared to 16,686 in 2008. That’s an increase of nearly 40 percent!
• Turnout in the Democrat Primary was down 43 percent! In 2008, 59,190 Democrats voted compared to only 33,666 in 2010.

A McKinney victory over Barrow is very possible, but who turns out to vote is the key. What’s needed is an energized conservative base combined with support from Democrats and independents who are tired of high taxes, record deficits and high unemployment.

The Tea Party Express (website: www.TeaPartyExpress.org) announced its endorsement of Ray McKinney (R-GA) for congress today.

“Ray McKinney is a true conservative and a homegrown Georgian,” said Amy Kremer, Chairman of the Tea Party Express. “We are proud to support someone who will fight for the constitutionally conservative principles we stand for.”

McKinney is vying for the opportunity to face incumbent Democrat John Barrow in this year’s general election. Barrow has voted with Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in congress on countless times, rebuffing the conservative leanings of his district.

“We cannot stand idly by as John Barrow continues to support Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat agenda,” said Bryan Shroyer, Political Director of the Tea Party Express. “Unlike his opponent, Ray McKinney does not support bailouts or Obama’s stimulus plans, and we’re glad to support his campaign for congress.”

The Tea Party Express has been active in 2010, endorsing conservative candidates across the country.

The organization is perhaps best known for its three national Tea Party Express bus tours, with well over 100 tea party rallies taking place as part of these tours. The rallies have drawn several hundred thousand participants and featured the likes of Gov. Sarah Palin, Joe The Plumber, Rep. Michele Bachmann, conservative author and pundit Ann Coulter, Rep. Joe Wilson, and many others.

Bryan Shroyer
Political Director
Tea Party Express
Mobile:  (916) 596-0299
E-mail: Bryan@TeaPartyExpress.org
Website: www.TeaPartyExpress.org

“Garden City depends on trade and manufacturing, and I’m pleased Mayor Quinney believes I’m the best candidate to take on the Democrats in November.. I am committed to bringing about a better economy that creates jobs by reducing government spending, easing regulation, extending the Bush tax cuts, and simplifying the tax system.”

McKinney, a nuclear power project manager, an Effingham County native and former long time resident of western Chatham County, said he is very pleased with this key endorsement.

“Even liberal Democrats are admitting that Barrow is vulnerable, with one blogger saying a ‘true Republican’ will beat him in November,” said McKinney.  “President Obama’s press secretary has admitted that Democrats could lose the Congress this fall. If that’s to happen, Republicans need to win Georgia’s 12^th, and Mayor Quinney”s support will help in that goal. I’m glad that he trusts me to do what’s right.”

Vidalia, GA—Describing Republican Congressional candidate Ray McKinney as a “real fiscal conservative in the Reagan image,” Lew Uhler, president and founder of the National Tax Limitation Committee is supporting the nuclear power project manager in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District.

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Ronald Reagan; we brought about some very real fiscal change,” stated Uhler. “I see that same commitment in Ray McKinney, a true, seasoned, proven job creator. He can beat the Obama and Pelosi choice, incumbent liberal Democrat John Barrow.”

Uhler has been a pioneer at the head of national movements for tax limitation and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. The National Tax Limitation Committee is a grassroots organization devoted to limiting spending in state and federal government.

“Mr. Barrow earned a ‘D’ on the National Tax Limitation congressional scorecard for his voting record over the last two sessions,” said Uhler. “He clearly doesn’t represent the fiscal conservative dimension of the district where he’ll say one thing, but votes with Pelosi when he’s in Washington, D.C.”

McKinney said he is very pleased to have Uhler’s support.

“For over four decades, Lew Uhler has been fighting the battle to reduce taxes and cut runaway government spending,” McKinney said. “Barrow voted for bailouts, increased spending, faux budgets, and new entitlement programs which damage our economy and working families. I will work to be a tireless champion of the taxpayer. My goal is to create new jobs through a restored economy.”

That’s all well and good (after all, casework is a proper function of congressional offices) but while he congratulates himself, he fails to address legitimate concerns of his spending. For example, what about the so-called stimulus packages, supported by Barrow, that mostly funded pork projects to help get Democrat incumbents reelected?

With real unemployment approaching 20 percent, we have the right to ask John Barrow:  ”where is the $1.1 trillion you owe us?”

A national tea party organization – the Liberty First Political Action Committee — has endorsed Republican congressional candidate Ray McKinney of Lyons. McKinney, a nuclear power project manager, is running for the seat currently held by incumbent John Barrow (D-Savannah). He faces three other Republicans in the July 20^th Primary Election.

According to the group’s website, libertyfirstpac.com: “We support candidates who place liberty (the Constitution) first when casting a vote or making critical political decisions. Our principles are simple. Less government, less regulation and lower taxes.”

“I have long shared those goals,” said McKinney, “and I’m honored that Liberty First recognizes my commitment to the principles of liberty that have made our country great.”

McKinney continued:  “I saw the current economic crisis coming three years ago, Unfortunately, the President and the current congressional leadership are only making things much worse with runaway spending, higher taxes, and increased regulation. Until the government starts following the Constitution, The U.S. will continue toward the path of financial ruin and further erosion of citizens’ rights.”

According to Eric Odom, founder of Liberty First, McKinney “shared the Tea Party values before their was any such thing as a Tea Party, and is the best candidate in this race to restore the Constitution as the set of rules by which we run our country. The liberty movement of America needs Ray McKinney as the next Congressman representing our liberties and Georgia’s 12th Congressional District,”

Liberty First PAC has contributed money and is working for candidates around the country, including recently elected Congressman Charles Djou (R-Honolulu) from Hawaii’s 1^st Congressional District.