Barto receives ‘Legislator of the Year’ award

At their annual convention of the Arizona Association of Chiropractic the members recently recognized Rep. Nancy Barto ….for “her dedication and service to the AAC and to the Chiropractic profession”.

As the dinner keynote she recounted to AAC members many of the details of the process of getting important legislation affecting the profession successfully through the Legislature. 

As a result of Barto’s efforts regarding HB 2025, Arizona statutes now accurately describe, as well as define, chiropractors’ current practices.

Persistence and chiropractic physicians’  involvement pays off!

Promises Made – Promises Broken

Three months after President Obama signed Democrats’ government takeover of health care into law, evidence keeps mounting that his rhetoric surrounding health “reform” does not match the new reality.  The American people face higher taxes, higher health costs, and dropped coverage as a result of the law:

 Promise Made:  “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits—either now or in the future.”

— President Obama, speech to a joint session of Congress, September 9, 2009[i]

 Promise Broken:  In May, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an analysis of the health care law that found that it will increase federal discretionary spending by at least $115 billion—costs not taken into account by Democrats before they passed the health bill into law.[ii]  Without cuts to some other part of the federal budget, these spending increases will necessarily add to deficits.  Several weeks later, CBO Director Doug Elmendorf concluded that fiscal sustainability could be achieved only by cutting elements of the health care law just enacted: “Putting the federal budget on a sustainable path would almost certainly require a significant reduction in the growth of federal health spending relative to current law (including this year’s health legislation).”[iii]

 Promise Made:  “If any bill arrives from Congress that is not controlling costs, that’s not a bill I can support.  It’s going to have to control costs.”

— President Obama, June 23, 2009[iv]

 Promise Broken:  In April, the chief actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a report concluding that the federal government and the country will spend $310 billion more under the new law than we would have without it.[v]  The actuary found that most provisions in the law intended to control future health care costs will have “a negligible financial impact.”[vi] 

 Promise Made:  “What I’m saying is, the government is not going to make you change plans under health reform.”

— President Obama, June 23, 2009[vii]  [Read more]

Why I am running for the Senate

Following the “mother” of all years of change with both the election of President Obama and a Democrat-controlled Congress, Americans are waking up to what all this change really means:

Unprecedented deficit spending and job-killing tax hikes to keep the spending pace going strong -government takeover of the health care, banking and auto industries, turning national security into a discussion of how bad America is rather than protecting us from radical Islamic terrorists  -  even balking at Arizona’s efforts to secure our border!

These and other concerns are driving folks to get involved again in their government.   That’s a good thing!   They’re  not only waking up  - they’re  pushing for new, committed leadership in Washington who will listen and do what is right for America.

This is what motivates me to stay involved in Arizona and to run for the State Senate.    We need leaders in Arizona who promote common sense ideas like:  [Read more]

Child Prostitution on the run

Some day may it not be said that Phoenix, Arizona is ‘home’ to over 300 underage girls trapped in prostitution – average age:  13. 

Because it’s not so now. 

Most are lured into the seedy life through false pretences,  abuse, manipulation and intimidation.  Their lives or their family’s lives are often threatened beyond belief and they can imagine no way out.

Up ’til now current law hasn’t helped.  It allows the “john” to escape criminal prosecution for what is often incredibly violent sexual abuse because he has been able to claim not knowing the girl was a minor – so prosecutors haven’t bothered even trying to bring charges.   A “Normal” prostitution charge would only bring a $50 fine.  [Read more]

“Waving their little teabags”

I guess I’m a malcontent.

Just like hundreds of thousands of Tea Partiers protesting across America – 7,000 at Tempe Diablo Stadium alone in Arizona (click here for details!) - on April 15th – TAX DAY -  to remind Washington that we’ve been Taxed Enough Already!  There is a limit to how much confiscatory government we will take – both of our freedoms and levels of taxation.   

We’ve reached that limit.

In fact, we are  close to reaching the tipping point where most Americans pay few, and 47% pay no, personal income taxes while becoming more dependent on government benefits. [Read more]

Cave Creek Tea Party

Successful battles start with a tea party.  Now that Health Care “Reform” is passed, it’s time to attend one and join the fray. 

No, we are not organizing for revolution, but we are looking to “change” Washington in November.   Unless you believe Al Sharpton’s claim this week after the bill passed that, when the American people voted for Barack Obama for President, they voted for Socialism.  There’s one planned for this Saturday in beautiful Carefree.  It’s from 3-6 pm.  Here are the details:  http://cavecreekteaparty.com/. Because we’re getting awfully close to a tipping point in America.  According to U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan, 2004 estimates were that 60% of Americans received more in government benefits and services than they paid in taxes.  With Obama’s first budget, this net dependency will be closer  to 70%.  Paul says, “If we go down this path, creating entitlement after entitlement and promising benefits that can never be delivered…tax reduction is impossible because more people have a stake in welfare than in producing wealth.”  It’s time to turn back the tide and stop the spending, return to our Constitutional roots and moral values.   Bring a friend and get involved.  Drink tea!

Islam and the Middle East

Concerned about President Obama’s transferring accused terrorists to New York to be tried in civilian courts?  Brigitte Gabriel’s speech before The Heritage Foundation may help convince those who may not be. 

Gabriel, founder of  ACT! for America , shares her own experience growing up in Lebanon – and a history of the region like you’ve never heard it before. 

Several  involved District 7 constituents recommended the links and I thought them extremely informative – especially after attending the AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) annual breakfast on Sunday.   Joe and I have had the privilege of attending the event for the last three years.  We greatly appreciate the job they do informing local, state and congressional elected officials of issues pertaining to Middle East foreign policy and educating the next generation on the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel alliance.

Join us and expand your knowledge on this issue.

Why Congress’ Healthcare Bill is Bad for Arizona

Congress’ Healthcare “Reform” bill is a mere handful of votes shy of passage. Far from achieving the objectives of providing healthcare to all Americans and lowering costs, Arizona citizens can count on these outcomes instead:

Fundamental changes in the standard of care.  While more people may technically be “covered”, over-utilization of services will lead to longer waits for health care and inevitable rationing of care.  Not to worry, though.  The bill plans for this.   A 15 member health commission, much like those in countries with similar nationalized healthcare, will have extraordinary powers to dictate what is covered, for whom and how it will be paid for. [Read more]

Cave Creek Students Bring Veterans’ Lives to Life

Veterans deserve our thanks on Veterans Day, to be sure.  But Cave Creek high school students said “thank you” in a way that honors them on Veterans Day and well beyond.   Perhaps more importantly, they have found a way to help themselves and fellow Falcons appreciate Veterans in ways that will make a lasting imprint – perhaps for life. 

Look what Cactus Shadows High School students have been doing to honor Veterans in Cave Creek – read about the Cactus Shadows Arizona Heritage Project.  They have compiled three amazing books, each one filled with detailed life and military stories.  I have all three of them,  many of them signed by the Veterans themselves who shared their experiences with the students and their parents at the celebrations honoring them.  

Here is a recent article about the project from The Rodel Foundation of Arizona online: Oral History Project.  Congratulations, Cactus Shadows!  And Thank you, Veterans!

AZ Pharmacy Alliance Awards Rep. Barto

HB 2164, when enacted at the end of September, will allow certified pharmacists to administer immunizations to adults without a prescription.   And part of HB 2564, the Abortion Consent Act, updates important rights of conscience provisions concerning pharmacists and physicians who object to prescribing medications that cause abortion.  Both bills enhance and support the pharmacy profession. [Read more]

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