Congressman Jack Kingston - First District of Georgia

Regarding cutting spending, I've been wondering for a long time why doesn't someone do efficiency studies on existing government offices? I used to work for one of the then Big 6 accounting firms primarily in Healthcare and Colleges & Universities. After I left public accounting, I worked for two healthcare institutions in Savannah and was involved in merger due diligence and implementation of efficiency plans. I cannot believe that existing offices/departments could not be reduced and save lots of money. I don't want to see a lame directing like Obama gave last year to cut $100K from each department, that's rediculous. I want to see real change in every department from the bottom up. Also, realignment of government salaries to be consistent with industry, not 30% higher.

Congressmen Kingston, I know you agree with the concepts of the Fair Tax Plan, but do you believe in it enough to fight for it? What are your thoughts going forward? Do you think it has legs?

I guess the money for the ports is out if you don't like things attached to other bills. That is pork and for other parts of the country the widening of the ports is pork and not necessary. Let the ports pay for it or the Chamber of Commerce since only a handful of people will make any kind of money from it. Now on the other hand healthcare is something that is much needed in this state. Do you have any idea of how many people in your district this will help? Remember who you work for. The citizens in Ga.

I believe that the US should quite being the 911 center for the world. If we are going to continue to provide foreighn aid I believe it shaould be a matching fund type aid. Organization such as UN and NATO should become become a matching aid contributor. To many times a host government will take our aid and put it in their General Fund instead of distibuting it to the people in need. As I have said in the past I would like a business plan during submittle of each major dept of the government and follow up quaterlly how funds are being utilized against the budget. Keep up the good work and listen what the people need.

My Republican Party has not impressed me. The candidates that represent the Conservative voice are an embarrassment. Ignorance and stubbornness seem to be the Conservative chic, rather than education and working together with all members of Congress. This election day, for the first time, I will be voting a straight Democratic ticket. Thank you for the opportunity to post my comments. Carolyn Savannah, GA

One way to reduce waste of tax payer funds and reduce out of control government spending is to stop funding absurd grants, such as the one to study why young men don't want to wear condums, etc. What has happened to the line item veto? Of course Obama wouldnt use it anyway, because his prime objective is to waste as much money as possible to further his agenda of which 90% of it is against the will of the people. By the way, I voted early....and you have my vote and every family member. We are counting on YOU; and believing that God will answer our prayers in 2012 if we do our part.

I have long been an advocate of defunding NPR and the Endowment for the Arts. These entities should not receive public funding. The Fed should also quit subsidizing schools nationally. Get rid of the National Association of Education, and quit sending Georgia tax dollars to schools in other states. Each school should be supported locally. I am in favor of the Flat Tax or fair Tax which will gain revenue from everyone, no loopholes Put a stop to EARMARKS! REDUCE TAXES! Give the private sector a chance to expand and crreate more jobs.

I would like to ditto an earlier responder about defunding NPR and other television/radio enterprises. There may have been a time these were beneficial but with such a competitive environment now in media this seems an unnecessary use of public money. The fact that our government money is often funding a very biased news/information source could also be a reason to cease and desist.

This January, after assuming the house majority, obamacare must be choked until such time that it can be repealed and replaced with a bill that contains tort reform. This will be a tall and difficult order but must be started before we take back the whitehouse in 2012. During the 112th congress what is the feasibility of testing welfare recipients for illegal drug use prior to them receiving housing or taxpayer monies? Stay strong.

Congressman, Lets See You Read This To Your audience and See What The Response will Be. or Are You Too Liberal?????? We Don't Want Rino's, or Moderates, We Don't Want Lindsey Graham's, Susan Collin's, Olympia Snow's Or Any Other Left Leaning Rep's. We Want Red Blooded American's, "T" Party Who, These Are Just Americans.......... The so Called "T" Party Acronym was Originally Coined Or Named By The "Democrat Socialist and Crooked Media", I Don't Like The Names, We Are American's First, Last & Always. What Happened To Eliminating Earmarks, And Term Limits. Are Repubs' Just BS? This Newt Gingrich Type, Contract Is Baloney, It's What Should have Been Happening all Along, When Repub's Were Last In Office. Cheers, Grady Ussery Vidalia, Georgia.

What about all the signs touting the PRESIDENT EISENHOWER INTERSTATE SYSTEM put up by the Presidents Reagan and Bush? Speaking of which, too bad you don't agree that the Great President Eisenhower Interstate System should be maintained. How about if the Republicans were willing to acknowledge that there were stimulus projects working for the American people THEN THE STIMULUS SIGNS WOULD BE UNNECESSARY! I still don’t see how you can sleep at night knowing how you have lied to the American public about the Health Care Reform Bill and the Wall Street Reform Bill. And further, the top 2% wealthiest people in the United States do not need a tax break. They have one now and their companies are not hiring. That line about the uncertainty of taxes in the future is ridiculous. If the Republicans had negotiated in good faith and they would have gotten a lot – if not most - of what they wanted and then the bill on taxes would have passed by now and there would be no uncertainty. However, I can’t see that multi-millionaires and billionaires should be afraid of spending a few bucks toward the well being of the people who they claim are the greatest on earth since they inhabit the USA. And really, if the top 2% actually respected the people who go to work everyday and DO THE REAL WORK THAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT, then we wouldn’t need all the regulations you are always crying about. What goes around comes around: IF YOU INSIST ON SHORT CHANGING YOUR NEIGHBORS EVENTUALLY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO NOTICE AND CALL YOU ON IT – THAT’S WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE REGULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack, Please spend a little less time on who can or can not drink beer and a little more time on legislation that can make a real difference. These are hard times and I don't see an end in sight. It's getting frightening as a matter of fact! If you could use my help, I'll come un-retired and do as best as I can to help, Lord willin...

I remember when you(Congressman Kingston) were on Wilmington Isl. knocking on doors and explaining your desire to be politically involved.I am so happy that my family took the time to listen.When I think of all the corruption and so called"gray areas" that the less than honorable so-called leaders have found it easy to hide behind it is refreshing to remind myself about the way you have kept your word whether it was popular or not.We applaud your efforts and at a time like this PLEASE don't let us down.You may count on my families vote again,thank you. Richard on W.Isl.

Our tax structure is strangling our economy. consider a Fair Tax on consumption in place of a complex income tax. This would avoid the double taxation on investment income and remove the corporate tax on businesses. Spending cuts are in order as well. What happened to the "line Item Veto" ? This would at least give the executive branch a chance to stop some of the "Pork" coming out of Congress.

The Pledge is a nice start, but I would like to know why Mr. Jack won't sign the Pledge From America and make a serious commitment to turn America to the right course.Also, I am in complete support of discontinuing funding for NPR.

Where did all these idiots we have in office come from? We need to vote out all the democrats and restore order to the government........

First - Stop shelling out monies to "illegals". They can apply for a Green Card and be in Our Country legally - simple. Jail the Employer who hires "illegals". It's my understand a data base is in place for employers to check the status of potential hires. Second - a flat tax for "all"... There will be no more "hiding" of funds. All Citizens pay their fair share... The Middle Class has been burdened to long! Plus, this would also cut down the telemarketing calls at dinner time... Third - give companies a "percentage" tax break for replacement construction in inter cities like Detroit, etc. Bring the jobs back to where Our People are. Fourth - place individuals on welfare, etc in a trade school/technical school after nine months of trying on their own to find work. It is stupid to pay a person to sit home and become useless; it's proven bad for them and for Our Country! The small cost up front will pay for itself once individuals are back on the tax roles. Fifth - deal with the Unions! Measure Union Jobs with fairness of production, cost of living. Ford Company moved to South America because the Union wouldn't negotiate. Who the Biggest Loser in the long run? Sixth - get a handle on the Federal Reserve! This is a private organization that's been dictating Our Financial Standards too long. I could go on, but Watching CSPAN Congress knows what to do, but when it comes to voting on a Bill/Measure it's generally in favor of Washington. I trust You Mean What You Said Jack!!!!

Thanks for your commitment to "The Pledge". I agree with Stanley and Pam, We need to defund NPR and the Endowment for the Arts. Are you familiar with a bill refered to as H.B. 4646. It has to do with a possibly proposed transaction tax?

I believe that this is the last chance for the Republican Party to show that they represent true conservatives. Repeal HC, stop All grants and subsidies, eliminate the department of education, reduce the size of government, pledge "no pork", implement the fair tax, reduce welfare rolls, continue Bush tax cuts and listen to taxpayers! .

Please point to the jobs recovery in Texas whenever anyone wants to know how to get America back on track. Look at their tax structure, which has made that state's return to pre-recession job numbers possible.

I think someone needs to put a stop to all the wastful spending> I am still waiting to hear from you on the HR4646 1% tax on all bank transcations Obama has slipped in

It is time for the American people to vote on term limits, Congressional pay raises, their health care and retirement. They have abused the system far too long and it must stop. We should also have campaign funding limits and big business should only be able to contribute $10,000 to any one person running for Congress. Neither should they be immune from law suits and trials when they deliberately lie, steal and mislead their constituents.

I think it is pretty hilarious that the Republican Party wishes to lecture anyone on ethics in Congress Jack. Are we all supposed to have amnesia regarding Tom DeLay and John Bohner's K Street connections where lobbyists foot the bills for trips, posh resorts and campaign cash? I know the uninformed might be fooled by the you most recent email but they should really know better. When the putative leader of the House Republicans is awash in cash from Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, the Tobacco lobby, etc., how much can one expect the voices of average Americans to be heard? How much concern will there be for the average citizen when the big boys wine and dine your leadership a few times a month and contribute heavily to Boehner for Speaker? Who do you folks think you are fooling?

To reform Congress and RESTORE TRUST the first step should be the adoption of a flat tax or a fair tax. Abolish the progressive income tax and its incomprehensible tax code.

Sage legal advice states that you shouldn't sign anything you haven't read. I think that should also aplly to a congressional/senate vote on a bill. I'd like to see something in place that states that if a vote is cast for a bill, that the "voter" has read and understands the content of that bill.

Pledge is whats known as the low hanging fruit. Pick the higher fruit called "TERM LIMITS" then you will have done something. Otherwise there will be constitutional amendment! litislinresponsi

Jack, At a recent function, Jack, I was impressed by your personal and attentive concern as you listened to my take on these and other issues. I am confident in your unalloyed stance on the pledge listed above and the specific directives to restore trust by reforming congress. The process of governance on the Federal level needs simplification and transparency. We do not want Shamans obfuscating and hiding legislation behind elastic phrases and doublespeak in order to fence out freedom from us. I will support you in your continued effort to reign in (drastically reduce) spending and roll back regulation that shackles business, personal freedoms and expression.

1. Reducing or eliminating the billions of dollars we bleed overseas, in "aid packages" (i.e. 7.5 billion to Pakistan) to put people in other countries to work. 2. Not allowing Congress to jam more than one thing into a bill. One Bill - One Item. I bet it would take less time to pass or fail the bill, if Congress wasn't wading through 250pgs reading each line looking for hidden items and debating each attached issue. The issue would be clear because it'd be the only one. You try to put too many things into one bill and nothing is given the full attention it deserves and things start crashing down around your head. 3. Until there are candidates for leadership positions worth believing in again, most of the Pledge is just words on paper. The Repbulican party has failed to help a worthwile candidate make it to the forefront in a longtime. (But don't fret neither has the Democratic Party.) Most citizens and voters (don't confuse the two) have gone from voting for the hope of a better future to just voting for the lesser of two evils - wondering which one is going to screw the country over less. Both parties have become responsible for draining this country of its hope. When I think that my choices for Governor of GA are between Roy Barnes and Nathan Deal, I get a desperate and axious feeling in my chest that makes me want to cry. The candidates that we are ultimately given to choose from would be the same as giving water to a drowning man.

We must create an environment where business feels like they have the opportunity to suceed. This administration has spent the last two years creating an anti business environment. Their attitude combined with countless unknowns in the health care bill, financial reform, cap & trade and off shore drilling have destroyed the business environment completely. Also, they are quietly trying to pass HR 4646 which would hit every financial transaction by "everybody" with a 1% transfer tax. If anyone doubts how poorly these people understand business all you have to do is look at the remarks that the financial wizard, Geithner made at the G-20 yesterday. They are still laughing at him. What a fool he made of himself and our country.

Politics have not changed over the last 200 years. Promises and no real delivery. The best thing our Congress can do is get out of the private sectors way. Our economic mess comes from what the public sector forced on the private sector over many years not just the last two. Republicans and Democrats alike are the problem. You can walk into any government office at any level and see inefficiency. Private sector is award on performance and the public sector should be no different. Why did the public sector take a pay increase during such poor economic times? Private sector funds their own retirement and medical accounts. Why do we the tax payer fund the public sector accounts. If you reform all government workers entitlements to mirror the private sector and fix the current Medicare system you have won half the battle. Congress should be rewarded on performance and not privilege. Set goals, reform tort laws, control costs and generate revenue. Be leaders not leaches.

As a former oil co. exec, I am convinced the answer to our JOBS and ENERGY problems can be solved rather easily if you can get the EPA and ENVIRO- WHACKOS to stop blocking virtually everything. Imagine the high-paying jobs that would be created in the oil and esp. natural gas industries if the shackles were removed from their efforts. Companies would begin hiring immedialtely as they became able to start looking for and bringing to market their products.....which would instantly begin lessening our foreign oil dependency! A win for new, high-paying jobs, and a win for consumers pocketbooks..............just wishful thinking on my part, I guess.

Housing market is a disaster and no thanks to how the government allowed the collapse. I’m disappointed how your office handled a situation that recently came to light regarding two veterans trying to buy a home. The story involved two veterans one fully disabled and the second their legal guardian. They used their rights to get a loan through the VA services and got financial approval without delay. A part of the VA process was the fiduciary arm of the VA. They came and interviewed the vets and represented the deciding factor on whether the vets could buy the home. After months of no response from the VA which caused great hardship for the two vets and familywith housing in the interim, the fiduciary department disallowed the loan sighting that because the disabled vet was going to get the smallest bedroom in the house and he was mental incompetent to own a home. This even though the disabled vet already owned a home and had medical documentation that he was compliant enough to be outside a medical facility. The VA wanted to prevent this disabled vet from living a better life outside of a mental hospital. These vets had come to you for help and received minimal support and no follow up. Thankfully to the thinking of the private sector an individual was able to restructure the loan to still go through VA and get approved. No thanks to your teams’ efforts to support our vets. Dissapponting.

I thought you all made a pledge when you took office. you are all committing Treason as we let you destroy us while giving your selves raises. Flat out Gross.

I see, freedom of speach is gone. you will review my comment before posing it. a little communist, no?

i am permanently and totally disabled from ptsd and agent orange. i get my health care thru a local physician thru fee basis. the tests my doctor asks for are denied by big government va. what gives them the right to deprive me of necessary treatment. all my tests could be done locally at the hospital. i don't trust the va in lk. city because their viet cong doctor missed a heart attack i had there, followed by 3 bypasses at gainsville, fl. if the va can't be depended on to take care of the veterans, then where can we turn. inflation where it touches my life ie, groceries, clothes etc. has gone up. i don't care for the chart big government goes by, i get no pay raise and higher prices, factor that.

Politics have not changed over the last 200 years. Promises and no real delivery. The best thing our Congress can do is get out of the private sectors way. Our economic mess comes from what the public sector forced on the private sector over many years not just the last two. Republicans and Democrats alike are the problem. You can walk into any government office at any level and see inefficiency. Private sector is award on performance and the public sector should be no different. Why did the public sector take a pay increase during such poor economic times? Private sector funds their own retirement and medical accounts. Why do we the tax payer fund the public sector accounts. If you reform of all the government worker entitlements to mirror the private sector and fix the current Medicare system you won half the battle. Congress should be rewarded on performance and not privilege. Set goals, reform tort laws, control costs and generate revenue. Be leaders not leaches.

Jack: Many things in Congress needs to change, for example: all legislation should be prepared by the Senator/Congressman and should be read by all parties voting on same. If not read, bill should never make it to the floor for a vote. Abolish Department Of Energy, Department of Labor, and Department of Education. All members of Congress should be elected for one term, no one should be in office after one term. Each elected member of Congress should be limited to three staff members and they should be replaced at the same time as the Congressman/senator. Travel per diem for all should be limited to two days per quarter. Speaker of the House should be limited to only those perks afforded to the rest of the members of the house. Could go on lomger but I think you get my meaning; CUT ALL EXPENSES!!! Respectfully;

Jack,your a good and sincere person.But,you and the rest of congress don't get it.If you want to create jobs.Do away with these one sided trade deals that keep sending our jobs out of the country.As long as they exist unemployment will go up.We can not all sale one another insurance, someone has to make something of value.

rework the health plan, 95% need drop, 5% keep for childern up to 26 age ,no limit on insurane cap and cannot drop or deniel cover to anybody do to prier medicine problems we need.cut spendings ,small size goveremnt.cut taxes and help business, help land owner on there land taxes they are caring for school , gov and other by paiding high tax help the senior in medicare, they pay for it alone with there social security,it there right sent they paid it .it not right for a person in this country getting benefit and said that we owe it to then and they are not legal here. i do not owe them ,they do not pay tax school tax or medical or any other and i owe them and ther childern are born here and become a citizen of this country.if born here,the child stay here until 18 and there parent go back to there country after birth

I will be glad when this election is over; the wore out ads and frustration when hearing that so few actually vote. This country is slipping down the path to a used to be great nation from being a proud strong nation. Too many internal problems from the weak imigration law enforcment and inefficient court system is slowly driving this country down. Not to mention the sympathy the criminals and drug smugglers tend to get in court.

Jack, It truly saddens me to see that you chose not to sign the Contract From America. Maybe you could tell us why you didn't .

Jack, to get back on track here, Congress had better gain more trust from the people they represent or the stage will be set for a third political party that will support some badly needed options like term limits and smaller government which would be real attractive to me.

I'd like to see all those who support this pledge to sign & publish it so we can see who is committed to it & whether they continue to support it after the election.

You want americans to trust congress again? How about some real change. Term limits for Congress. No automatic pay raises for Congress. No automatic retirement pension just because you got elected. Congress should have the same retirement plan (Social Security) like the rest of the people that hire and pay you. Congress should not able to exempt themselves from having to live under the same laws you pass. Bills should be written so they are easily understandable not full of legalese that even lawyers cant agree on what they mean.Drug testing should be mandatory before allowed to receive government aid, I have to be tested to be hired for that job that pays for others to sit at home and do nothing. Your staffs should be cut and these "fact finding" trips that are nothing but mini vacations should be stopped. All these pork projects shuld be cut, the people cannot afford it. Speaking of not being able to afford, the middle class can no longer support big government or big company bailouts just because they are greedy. Veterans and seniors should be taken care of. Veterans were willing to die for their country and seniors have paid into the system all their lives to make this a great nation. They shouldn't get screwed because you no longer need their services or they have done their duty. The Social Security trust should not be touched for anything or borrowed against for any reason and if Congress had to rely on it for their retirement, I bet it wouldn't be running out of money. Pretty sure none of these things will change and just the tip of the iceberg of how to regain the trust of the american people. Will be politics as usual after the election.

We don't trust government very much now. Congress must change a lot before the American people gain any trust. Freedoms are being eroded when congress acts without regard to the desire of those who elected them. We can't just rubber stamp the desire of the president. Beuracrats need some common sense. A lady put a note in her church for a Christian roomate. She was accused of discrimination, how absurd to want a roomate who is a Christian with common values. Taxing a boy and family for selling pumkins to raise money for his T ball team. Have we gone loco. And why does gas keep going up at a time of recession for seemingly no reason. Congress needs to look into Oil Companies. Congress need to be open to the public instead of being so private.

Taxes Taxes Taxes. The more money a person gets to keep, the more money to Spend, Invest, Save! The more money companies keep, the more they have to expand and pay employees(though they may not want to). Washington DC is a beautiful place( and it cost a lot of tax dollars) Keep goverment simple. Congress should not have any special rights more so than your average hard working citizen. Congress should have term limits. If the presidency can have term limits, So Should Congress.(sorry jack) even the great ones must.

Uphold the Constition,Bill of Rights and the American way. Repeal obamacare or defund & dismantle it quickly before anymore damage is done,no replacements or "fixes" from Gov. We can & will manage our own personal life,(we did before this large gov.control started (in the '40's appx.).Stop the spending,No earmarks,term limits on all Congress.(supposedly Congress was there to protect & defend we Americans,not rule & write laws about & for us) If any laws should be made on individuals start with tort reform.(that will lighten the court load) No more bail-outs or grants at politicians desire. Reign in the unions.Stop the green movement in America,Let us drill,mine,fish and give the confiscated land back to the States, to do so. Close the border,no matter what Calderone says we need to start protecting ourselves against ILLEGAL immigrants.No cap&trade( another bill of confinement. Get wall Street up & running.We are now #7 in Countries of freedom?? Hard to believe? we are behind Canada,Australia,Ireland etc. Stop this destruction & let us be the land of the free,as we were founded to be. In doing so, we will come back & be the protector of Nations as we once were.Get out of the United Nations,save us 40% of the total and relieve us of the restrictions that are unreasonable from the thieves of the UN We will be savers & designers ,manufacturers& developers (Give us back our car companies & banks) This Gov. takeover is destroying us as well as removing God from this great Nation built on God.We tolorate,love & respect other.We ask the same for Christian & Jewish heritage.We really never were the country that trashed the globe. That global movement is a redistribution of wealth,& you know it. Stand up & protect,stop smothering us with rules,laws & regulations.GOVERNMENT DOES NOT KNOW BEST FOR AMERICANS.AMERICANS DO!

What's going on with HR 4646? This needs to be stopped. Also we need to stop funding NPR.

I am proud to have remained a simplistic person thru-out my 50+ years however I have yet to understand how the democratic party has bettered any of us over the last 2+ years.I try to look @ problems with the easiest fix and so far I stay baffled by their way of thinking and the more I look @ it could it be because they have done nothing?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!! ********************************** Congressional Reform Act of 2010 1. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below.. A. Two Six-year Senate terms B. Six Two-year House terms C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms 2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. 3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. 4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

How about this one folks, how many believe this should be so? Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."

I agree with Seadog and Randy from Nicholls but should add it applies to all government people from the President down ( this would include the President). They say in the military "No guts No glory" Now lets see if you fall in that statement. Good luck to your doing what is right for the people for a change.....

Nice post and great work!!!!!!!!!!!!