In the face of doing what's right for America, Trent Franks has shown his true colors. For Representative Franks, that color is dollar-bill green.
Three bills passed the House yesterday with overwhelming bipartisan support. Three bills that no American who professes love of country should have voted against. Trent Franks, like most Republicans, chooses to side with special interests instead of his constituents.
Trent Franks is why we fight to get Democrats elected. Trent Franks is why we go door to door in 100+ degrees, if necessary, to tell people there are candidates who won't sell you out to China and the rich. Trent Franks has got to go.
HR 2378: Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act
When countries impose barriers for our products, why should we let them enter our markets unimpeded? With this act, Congress has finally stood up for American workers who have said for nearly a decade that China's currency practices unfairly disadvantage U.S. companies seeking to do business in China, while giving Chinese companies greater access to U.S. markets.
The trade deficit with China is expected to displace more than 500,000 U.S. jobs in 2010 - Source
Trent Franks is hell bent on sending our jobs overseas by selling out America. With unemployment in Arizona and America still at unacceptably high levels, Trent Franks not only thinks you should stop being lazy and find a job (that doesn't exist), he's actively shipping more of them overseas!
HR 6160: Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act
The primary purpose of the federal government is to protect its citizens - Trent Franks
It's curious then why Trent Franks would put our country's national security at risk in a blatant attempt to appease commodity traders and foreign companies. The GAO and several other organizations have warned for some time that China's monopoly on rare earth metals could be used as a bargaining chip, or worse, a weapon against the United States.
China now produces over 97% of the world's rare earth supply - Source
Why are rare earth metals so important?
Rare earth metals are used in everything we consider a part of modern life today: cell phones, computers, GPS devices. For the U.S. government though, rare earth metals play an even larger role: they are critical for the components the U.S. military uses to keep a tactical edge.
China has already flexed its rare earth muscles, implementing a de-facto ban on rare earth trade with Japan in order to force Japan's release of a detained fisherman accused of trespassing in waters claimed by Japan (and China).
HR 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010
To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, and for other purposes. - Source
Trent Franks hates transparency. That's the only logical conclusion you could come to for those voting against this bill. He'd like to mire veterans, seniors, and others with confusing paperwork in hopes they would not get the benefits they would legally be entitled to. After all, if it was easy, wouldn't more people do it? This callous brand of "fiscal conservatism" has no place with a representative of the people of Arizona.
So, what can we do?
Well, you can support John Thrasher. As the Democratic candidate for Arizona's 2nd CD, he stands with Americans, not corporate interests or foreign countries.
Yesterday, Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona’s Congressional District 2, sided with China when he voted against H.R.2378, The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act," said John Thrasher, Democratic Candidate in Congressional District 2. "Mr. Franks continues to vote against the wishes of Arizonans in District 2, and against the best interests of our Country."
"It is becoming even clearer Trent Franks is out of touch with mainstream voters," said Thrasher. "It is extremely telling that this legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 348 for and 79 against demonstrating once again Mr. Franks is standing with the party of NO, and not with Arizonans."
Let's send a message to Trent Franks and the "Party of No"- we're not going to let you sell America out without a fight!
Volunteer for John
Can you help John reach 50 donors? Any amount, however small, will help.