Thank you to all who made the Fox Valley Initiative's Road to Restoration event last night a huge success! Initiative volunteers Mel Timm, Tommy Thompson, and Ben Froland presented the tools and techniques necessary to make a difference this election and inspired the crowd to take action. Numerous candidates were on hand for one on one interaction with the crowd in attendance.

As requested, below is the transcript of Ben Froland's closing remarks:

I want to thank you all for coming. This may be the most crucial primary and general election in our lifetime. In only 2 years the Obama administration has spent more money that all previous presidents combined. They’ve take over the banks. They’ve taken over the insurance companies. They’ve taken over education with student loans. They’ve taken over the auto industry. They’ve taken over the healthcare system. What else will they do if they retain power for another 2 years?

We must act quickly and decisively to restore American exceptionalism.  This will require attention to all levels of government. Clearly we want to replace the members of Congress and the Senate with men and women of character and honor, but don’t forget the local races. This is where the true power of the American system of government is supposed to reside. Communities making decisions for themselves and retaining their own money. Counties doing only that which the community cannot. The State doing only that which the county cannot. And at each one of these levels rejecting encroachment from the next tier. Don’t underestimate the power that each of these offices has to throw off the chains of an oppressive and overreaching Federal Government; legally and constitutionally.

Poll after poll shows that America is a center-right country. They show that we don’t like big government, high taxes, reckless spending, handouts, and bailouts. So how is it that in spite of our personal values, we have elected officials so detached from us? We have to look inward. We’re “too busy” with jobs and families to get involved. We say “the politicians are all the same.” Can you really say that now? We get frustrated and upset so we stay home or vote third party to “make a point.” I’m right there with you and I’ve fallen victim to these thoughts and feelings as well. But we can’t deny what the results have been.

The reality is we must always be vigilant. No matter how frustrated or disappointed you may feel we must always participate in the process or we let the opposition win. Ronald Reagan said that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Well I’ll be damned if I’m going to be the generation that gave up on America!

The journey to restore America starts tonight with you. The fires of turmoil in the country have forged a new breed of citizen-activist and that is you. You have the power to change the outcome of the upcoming elections and the course that the country is on. It is well within your abilities. For example:

The 17.6% Rule:

• 70% of eligible voters are registered; 30% are not registered.


• Of the 70% registered, only 50% of those vote, i.e. 35%.


• So, it only takes 17.6% of the total population, or 25% of registered voters to win.

There are your goals. Can you reach just 1 out of every 4 people you talk to? Can you get someone in the unregistered 30% to register to vote? Can you get someone in the 50% that doesn’t vote to come out this election day? I’m going to bet that you can.

This is where our opposition has been beating us for the better part of a century. They understand that a small but dedicated group working with their candidates can have a massive impact on elections and the country as a whole. But aren’t you better than any group of mindless ACORN zombies? Aren’t you more effective than any gang of purple shirted SEIU thugs beating up people? Aren’t you more tenacious than any rubber knife gang of New Black Panthers intimidating voters?

The volunteers of the Fox Valley Initiative have worked hard to vet this season’s candidates and to assemble them for your scrutiny and your support. This is where the meeting really starts. Go back there and look them in the eye, discuss where they stand on the issues, and get behind them. If you have any questions about the candidates the Initiative members will be happy to give you their individual opinions. Now it’s up to you to get behind the men and women you want to see elected. Give them any assistance you can whether it is door knocking, phone banks, literature drops, or whatever they need. Help get them in office and push out the vipers infesting our institutions. This election season let the powers that be know that we’re not gonna take it anymore!

Election season is upon us. There is only a scant 6 weeks until the primary election and the general election isn’t far behind that. Chances are you are now being bombarded with commercials on the television and radio, calls to your home, literature stuffed in your mailbox, and maybe even a knock at the door. Given the mood of the country, every politician wants you to believe that they are the fiscally responsible one who favors limited government and loves the Constitution. Unfortunately many politicians have recently reinvented themselves just so they can get re-elected and continue with their wasteful ways once safely back in office. So how do you fight through the smoke and mirrors and find out which candidates really walk the walk on the issues?

The volunteers of the Fox Valley Initiative have been hard at work vetting the candidates. They have been scrutinized through candidate forums, personal interviews, inspection of their voting records, and issue surveys. The results of each have been weighed against the 5 core principles of the Fox Valley Initiative:

1) Limited Government operating within the bounds of the Constitution.

2) Lower taxes and balanced budgets.

3) Protection and preservation of private property rights.

4) A Free Market Economy.

5) Integrity and accountability in our Government.

As a result, the Fox Valley Initiative believes the following candidates most closely embrace our core values and we are proud to endorse them:

Scott Walker for Governor

Scott Walker for Governor

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has a proven track record of reducing the size of government. Since Walker took office, Milwaukee County’s debt has been reduced by 10% and he has consistently provided budgets every year of his tenure with ZERO increase in Milwaukee County’s tax levy.  An advocate of state’s rights, Walker supports Wisconsin’s right to opt out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also known as “Obamacare.” In its place, he supports free-market solutions that empower individuals rather than the government.  Walker is also proposing reforms that will reign in the out of control spending in Madison such as: starting the state budget at zero, requiring the use of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to balance every state budget, and ending the raids on segregated state funds.

Walker has launched his common sense Brown Bag movement containing tenets consistent with the mission statement of the Fox Valley Initiative:

• Don’t spend more than you have.


• Smaller government is better government.


• People create jobs, not government.

For these reasons, the Fox Valley Initiative is proud to endorse Scott Walker for Governor of Wisconsin.

http://www.scottwalker.org

Reid Ribble for Congress, 8^th District

Reid Ribble for Congress

Reid Ribble is a fine example of the citizen representative compelled to run for office by the recklessness and arrogance of entrenched politicians. He has spent his life to this point in the private sector as an entrepreneur and a volunteer in the community. Ribble has led his roofing company to growth, success, and financial stability and has been selected by his peers to represent them as President of the National Roofing Contractors Association and President of the Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress. Ribble’s volunteerism includes serving as Varsity Volleyball coach at Appleton East High School for over twenty years, Director at WEMI radio, Director and Chairman of the Board of Life Promotions, and serving on the corporate Board of Directors for the Fox Valley YMCA.

Throughout the vetting process Ribble has proven to be a thoughtful and well read candidate. He is a fervent supporter of state’s rights, the 10^th Amendment, and the Constitution as a whole. As such, he supports passage of the Enumerated Powers Act which would require all laws passed by Congress to meet Constitutional requirements.  As a successful businessman, Ribble knows what it takes to create jobs in the private sector and how to eliminate the government interference currently hindering the free-market with overregulation and high taxes. He supports a repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also known as “Obamacare" and proposes replacing it with sound reforms such as competition across state lines, portable coverage, and a reduction of frivolous lawsuits.

For these reasons, the Fox Valley Initiative is proud to endorse Reid Ribble for the 8^th Congressional District of Wisconsin.

http://www.ribbleforcongress.com/