Guest Commentary
by Eric Andersen
On February 12th, 2012, I signed an oath in which I solemnly swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
I happen to believe that document still provides a valid road map to prosperity and happiness.
I believe his votes have done more harm to our unalienable rights and limited form of government than any foreign invader.
I know that is a pretty strong statement, but before you blow me out of the water please allow me a moment to explain.
I believe the Congressman is well intentioned and has a sincere love for our nation. I believe he is passionate about creating a bright future for our children, but let us not confuse passion and rhetoric with action. Let’s not confuse military service with conservatism as we are so prone to do.
I have included a number of votes that I think demonstrate that while Hunter’s rhetoric is conservative, his voting record is not – even by Reagan’s standard of considering someone a friend and ally who votes with us 80 percent of the time. You may define it differently, but in my book a conservative is someone who conserves the ideals embodied in our founding documents, not someone who conserves the status quo. Congressman Hunter’s voting record does not reflect such loyalty and has steadily declined since his first term in the 112th Congress.
As you can see I am not alone.
Heritage Action Scorecard
Duncan Hunter 75% “C”
Tom McClintock 91% “A”
Freedom Works
Duncan Hunter 53% “F”
Tom McClintock 100% “A”
Club for Growth
Duncan Hunter 77% “C”
Tom McClintock 96% “A”
Freedom Index
Duncan Hunter 70% “C”
Tom McClintock 100% “A”
What’s puzzling is that Duncan Hunter’s seat is in a safe district. The 50th is 46 percent R and 27 percent D.
Our Reps in the Congress have the role of protecting the people from the tyranny of an ever expanding government but Republicans in the House of Representatives, with help from Hunter, have put on a dismal performance in 2013.
Despite having a majority in the House they did not come together to defund the disastrous Obamacare law. No progress was made tackling entitlement or eliminating programs and the Republicans joined with Congress to move forward with the wasteful farm bill.
Change starts here at home. Hunter was elected with our consent and overwhelming Tea Party support.
He will not change until we do.
Let me be the first in the 50th Congressional District to say, “The Emperor has no clothes . . . ahem . . . conservatism.”
Hunter votes:
Feb 2011 – Voted to restrict our rights to free speech (First Amendment), H.R. 347.
Mar 2011 – Told Fox News military can attack without a Congressional declaration of war.
Dec 2011 – Voted for indefinite detention of American citizens.
Jul 2012 – Voted 1.6B in funding for the U.N. in violation of our national sovereignty, H.R. 6018.
Jan 2013 – Voted for the Sandy Relief wealth redistribution bill, H.R. 152.
Jan 2013 – Voted to kick the debt can down the road, H.R. 325.
Mar 2013 – Voted to fully fund Obama Care, H.R. 933.
Apr 2013 – Voted to CISPA internet sharing with government, H.R. 624.
Jul 2013 – Voted for package of subsidies for farmers worth 195B. H.R. 2642.
Jul 2013 – Voted against Amendment to end NSA surveillance of phone conversations.
Jul 2013 – Voted for farm subsidies worth 195B. H.R. 2642.
Jul 2013 – While at a fundraiser in his parent’s home tells those gathered the Heritage Foundation is no longer welcome in is Washington office.
Dec 2013 – Voted to overturn the Budget Control Act of 2011 reducing sequester cuts and spending caps, increasing user fees and taxes and spending.
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Eric Andersen is a co-founder of the San Diego County Republican Liberty Caucus