Posted by Republicans and Conservatives at Upstate New York could not have elected a better candidate than George Phillips, to challenge Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D) in New York’s 22nd Congressional District. Hinchey is serving his 8th term and is 70 years old. By contrast, George Phillips is young, smart and ready for change. He is a high school teacher, husband, father, and college professor. George Phillips graduated Magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and minors in Political Science and Theology and Magna cum laude with a Master’s Degree in Education. (Now that’s impressive!)
George Phillips worked as a high level aide for Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, and has years of experience assessing and advancing community needs. George Phillips, if successful in November, will undoubtedly be a fresh face and much needed change in Congress. A Congress plagued with low approval ratings and the nickname “do nothing”.
Hinchey is one of those politicians who “do nothing”, and year after year, neglect to acknowledge the needs of their constituents, in favor of quid pro quo politics of one man washes the hands of another.
One of Hinchey’s most unfavorable qualities is his opposition to off shore drilling. At a rate of 70%, Americans understand that exploiting our own resources will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and will reduce prices at the pump. For those, including Hinchey, who profess that drilling will not lower gas prices, either do not understand the simple concept of supply and demand, or choose to ignore reality in order to please environmental groups (who 9 times of 10 donate to political campaigns).
On August 13, 2008, Hinchey boasted in a press release that he and Ulster County Development Corp. partnered with Solar Thin Films, Inc. to create solar energy resources in the Hudson Valley. The project is not cheap, however, and the $10 million cost will either be funded by the tax payer or loaned on behalf of the taxpayer.
“In the coming days, Solar Thin Films will formally apply for a $10 million industrial development bond with the assistance of the Ulster County Development Corporation in order to aid in the purchase of equipment. Ultimately, Solar Thin Films will invest approximately $50 million into the manufacturing and research components.”
The $50 million that is “ultimately” promised by Solar Thin Films will be funneled to its own manufacturing company, Kraft Electronikai Srt, in which Solar Thin Films are 95.5% stock holders – a win-win situation for Solar Thin Films, an expensive risk for the tax payer.
I fully understand that wind power is an important investment in our future. I just believe that investments are more secure when they are held by private investors. Private investors tend to be more skeptical with risky business decisions, and have their stock holder’s best interest at heart. With government financing, the stock holders are the tax payer, and often times, their representatives do not have their best interest in mind, but rather their campaign coffers to fill.
There is an obvious need for development in alternate sources of energy, but those advancements are better achieved with tax credits and other market driven incentives, not give- a-ways to private companies to the tune of $10 million.
Vote with your eyes open, not for the same old! George Phillips has pledged to reduce government waste, offer tax relief, strengthen small business, and reduce energy costs. Vote for transparency, integrity and a fresh face in Congress! Vote for George Phillips for Congress!
