Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

“Rep. Wally Herger’s spokesman said Thursday that the congressman supports House Speaker John Boehner’s latest plan to modestly raise the debt limit,” according to the Redding Record Searchlight. “Many conservatives denounce that plan as not going far enough, fast enough, and its passage through the Republican-controlled House was going down to the wire Thursday — even as the bill might not pass the Democratic Senate anyway. [Tom McClintock is one of them].

“It’s strange to see the day when Herger, a deep-red conservative his entire career, looks like a mushy moderate in his party. But that’s a sign of just how uncompromising the Republicans have turned. Never mind that running a politically divided government leaves no choice.”

The rest of the article is here.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Twenty-two Republicans broke with their party leadership on Friday and voted against legislation sponsored by House Speaker John Boehner to extend the nation’s debt limit in exchange for deep spending cuts. (The article is here).

Below is a snapshot of the Republicans who voted against the bill because it did not go far enough in cutting public spending. The bill passed the House but was quickly rejected by the Democratic-controlled Senate.
* Justin Amash, Michigan – One of the 87 freshmen elected last year on a promise to slash federal spending, Amash at age 31 is the second-youngest representative in the House.
* Michele Bachmann, Minnesota – The Tea Party stalwart and presidential candidate said she would not vote for any bill that raised the debt ceiling.
* Paul Broun, Georgia – Elected in 2007, Broun has on several occasions referred to President Barack Obama as a “socialist.”
* Jason Chaffetz, Utah – Chaffetz has staked out turf as a Tea Party-friendly conservative since being elected in 2008. He is weighing a primary challenge to Senator Orrin Hatch.
* Chip Cravaack, Minnesota – A former Navy pilot, Cravaack was elected last year with Tea Party support but declined to join official Tea Party group in Congress.
* Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee – A doctor first elected last year with Tea Party support, he had not held any previous elected office.
* Trey Gowdy, South Carolina – Gowdy won election last year with Tea Party support after winning the Republican primary by accusing the incumbent of working too often with Democrats.
* Tim Huelskamp, Kansas – Elected in 2010 with Tea Party support, Huelskamp was raised on a farm.
* Tom Graves, Georgia – Won his seat in a special election last year with Tea Party support.
* Tim Johnson, Illinois – Johnson has compiled a moderate voting record since he was elected in 2000.
* Jim Jordan, Ohio – A leader of the party’s conservative wing, Jordan was first elected in 2006.
* Steve King, Iowa – A veteran leader of the party’s social conservatives, he gained notoriety for saying Obama’s election would lead to radical Islamists “dancing in the streets.”
* Connie Mack, Florida – Elected in 2004, Mack started an anti-tax freedom caucus while serving in the Florida House.
* Tom McClintock, California – Elected in 2008, McClintock gained some national prominence when he ran for governor going up against movie-star Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.
* Mick Mulvaney, South Carolina – Elected in the Republican wave in 2010, he is the first Republican to represent his district since 1883.
* Ron Paul, Texas – A long-time favorite of groups that want to drastically shrink government, the presidential candidate said he would not vote for any legislation that raised the debt ceiling.
* Tim Scott, South Carolina – A leader of the party’s freshman class, he is the first black American to win national office from South Carolina since the Civil War era.
* Steve Southerland, Florida – Elected in 2010, Southerland is owner and president of a family funeral home business.
* Joe Walsh, Illinois – A freshman who has maintained a high level of visibility in cable television and other media.
* Joe Wilson, South Carolina – A veteran lawmaker best known for shouting “You lie!” at President Obama during the 2009 State of the Union address.
(Reporting by Andy Sullivan and Kim Dixon; editing by Anthony Boadle)

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The “powers that be” in small towns are struggling with change, often out of self interest. But the forward-looking groups are embracing it – and, lo and behold, it’s creating jobs. Imagine that! Here’s an example:

Sierra Business Council is looking for a way to tap into our incredible online community throughout the Sierra Nevada. Our vision is to create an online collaborative network of users who are finding solutions to the most challenging problems that face our region.

The Community Network Director will be responsible for overseeing, managing and implementing Sierra Business Council’s shift from a traditional non-profit membership structure to an online social network infrastructure and interactive repository of network members.  SBC is seeking an innovator who shares our mission and possesses strong social media and network management skills to oversee this transition and activate our network.  This new network will be SBC’s online location for professional and social interaction, community engagement, idea sharing, as well as constituency building and advocacy across the Sierra Nevada region.

The Community Network Director works closely with the Development Director and further supports a dynamic team of managers and directors of programs within the realm of marketing and outreach.  The ideal candidate will have communications and project marketing experience.

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