Tyberg for Congress

The Aftermath

2006-09-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

Well, it's over. Eighteen months of hard work, stress, fun, and introductions are over. I am content with the results of the election, as a bunch of unexperienced volunteers and a candidate as green as any of them, won 41% of the vote.

Along the way I met a lot of great people, and many of you who are reading this are among them. I just want to say thank you, and I hope that we will all continue the fight to return our nation to government "of the people, by the people, and for the people".

Best wishes to Nick, I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my wife, and getting back to normal life. There will, however, be further adventures, and I invite you to stay tuned and get ready to join the battle again in the future!

Defending Life and the Family

2006-07-19T09:19:00.000-05:00

It is saddening that on one and the same day, our Representative voted against the family (as I predicted one month ago today), and the Senate voted to kill more babies. The one encouraging note is that President Bush has promised to stand for life and veto the Senate's bill.

From the moment that fertilization occurs, that embryo is an individual, with its own DNA. It is no longer just a part of its mother, but is a new life form. As such it is entitled to the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness given to us by our Creator, enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, and enumerated in the Constitution. Part of those rights is the right to grow up in a nuclear family which is sanctioned, encouraged, and protected by the government.

I would have voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment because the government has a right and a responsibility to promote responsible behavior that will lead to a stronger, more stable society. This will in turn lead to a stronger, more stable government, and that should be something that we can all agree on.

Independence Day in D.C.!

2006-07-08T08:47:00.000-05:00

Tanya and I just returned from a week-long trip to our nation's capital yesterday. I helped drive a group of teens from Iowa out for a weekend youth convention called DC/LA 2006.

We arrived in DC on the 29th, and on the 30th had the opportunity to meet with a Congressman and several staffers, as well as with a couple of conservative PACs. It was an interesting and exciting day, as we took the time to personally introduce ourselves and our campaign.

On the 3rd we stood "where the rockets red glare" told Francis Scott Key that "our flag was still there" and thrilled to see the full-sized replica of Old Glory (above) hoisted by a West Point graduate from the 60's. What an honor to stand where those men stood in defense of our nation and the city of Baltimore. What thoughts they must have had, with our nation's capital burned and ransacked, and an invincible fleet in the harbor! Yet they stood their ground, and after surviving the incredible barrage, they watched as that fleet turned tail and sailed away.

On the 4th we toured the Smithsonian's Museum of American History among other things, and then watched the fireworks display over the Mall.

Yesterday I was at the Burnett County Fair in Webster and today I'll be in Spooner for the Rodeo Parade. It's back to the campaign schedule!

Estate Tax and Line Item Veto

2006-06-23T16:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Dave Obey, whos campaign slogan is "He's for you", voted against you - TWICE! And he flip-flopped himself in the process.

Conservatives in Congress yesterday voted NOT to tax you twice for the money you earn. Or in another way of looking at it, NOT to tax your children for the money you've saved up for them. You've already paid income taxes, capital gains taxes, and property taxes along the way, but the re-distributors of wealth in Washington, among whom you can count Dave Obey, want to tax you again. Thankfully, under the bill passed yesterday in the House, your grieving family would not have to pay taxes on the first $5 million that you leave them. So if you've worked hard, built up the family farm or business, and leave an estate worth 4.5 million, the federal government won't take any more than they've already taken. Sounds fair, doesn't it? I mean we here in America don't punish success, do we? But, then, why did Dave Obey vote against this measure? If he's really for us, he ought to be cheering us on when we succeed, not working to get the government another cut of our success, right?

In 1996 Dave Obey voted for the line-item veto that Congress gave to President Clinton. It was a sweeping line-item veto that allowed the President to actually change spending bills with a stroke of his pen. The Supreme Court said it was un-Constitutional and struck it down. Yesterday, the House voted on a watered down line-item veto bill that would have simply allowed the President to send certain parts of spending bills back to Congress for individual votes. Dave Obey voted against it. Obviously Dave doesn't want to stand before the House and explain the money he's getting written into the spending bills. Money that has bought him election after election here in Northwestern Wisconsin. Money that always shows up in election years, and that he loves to take credit for.

As your Representative, I would have voted to end the death tax, and I would also have voted for the line-item veto as a first step toward eliminating the process called "ear-marks" altogether. Our Congressmen ought to be accountable for every penny of our money that they spend, and we ought to be able to find out how they voted to keep them accountable. It only makes sense, at least to a common man.

Iraq War - Cut and Run?

2006-06-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

Last week and this, the two Houses of Congress have taken up debate over the Iraq War. The House of Representatives passed a resolution rejecting any kind of timetable for troop withdrawal and confirming the U.S.'s determination to win the war on terror. The Senate last week resoundingly defeated a John Kerry authored bill calling for troop withdrawal by the end of 2006, but he's back, calling for withdrawal by July, 2007.

When will these folks learn? The simple fact is that our troops CANNOT lose this war. The enemy doesn't dare face them on the battlefield, instead hiding behind women and children and shooting from mosques. Over 40% of the insurgents have lost their lives and they've recently lost their main figure in Iraq with the death of Zarqawi. But our enemy believes that Americans don't have the patience, nor the stomach for war, and so they poke and run, poke and run, hoping that the politicians and the media will give up for our troops. And so the newest leader must make his statement by mutilating and killing American soldiers. He, too, will die the ignominious death of Zarqawi.

The situation in Iraq is better than what we are generally led to believe, and, given time, it will only get better. Setting an arbitrary pull-out date would only encourage the insurgents and weaken the position of Iraq's elected government. Do we really want a repeat of Vietnam? We never lost a battle there, either, but when we unceremoniously pulled out, and then broke our word and failed in financial support, untold millions were tortured and killed because they trusted us. Still today, we are taking in refugees to try to make up for the way we abandoned them. It wasn't right then, and it's not right now!

Our soldiers need to know that they have the support of the people back home, as well as their politicians, and the Iraqi government needs to know that we will keep our word. Anything less would be unworthy of America.

In Defense of Traditional Marriage

2006-06-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

Last week the US Senate failed to pass an amendment to the Constitution that would have defined marriage as being between one man and one woman – both of our Senators voted against it. The House of Representatives still plans to vote on this amendment, and our Representative called it “ridiculous” – guess we know how he plans to vote.

Recently, our local newspapers published a letter stating that marriage needs to be protected from abusive spouses, not homosexuals. This comparison is ONLY legitimate if abused spouses are trying to redefine marriage. But, of course, abused spouses aren’t trying to change marriage, now are they?

Marriage was instituted by our Creator, and codified by governments, as a way of making sure that the children produced in such unions would have two parents to raise them. It is a simple fact that children raised in a traditional home are more likely to be productive citizens, which any government has a responsibility to encourage if it wants to continue, let alone prosper. Yet we have attacked marriage, beginning with no-fault divorce, then going to codified civil unions, and now homosexual marriage.

Several states have stood up for marriage, changing their constitutions to protect the family, and Wisconsin will do so this November. But federal judges have overstepped their authority and struck down the will of the people, which tells me that it is time to take this dispute out of the hands of un-elected judges and put it into the hands of the elected governments of each state via a Constitutional Amendment.

It’s not “ridiculous” - it’s common sense!

The Flag of the United States of America

2006-06-16T11:34:00.000-05:00

Flag day is past and the Senate is nearing a vote on an amendment that would protect our flag from burning and other forms of desecration. I strongly support this amendment because the flag is not the symbol of any government, rather it is the symbol of our nation. Our flag is a symbol of unity, of nationhood, of our history together in this great experiment known as a Constitutional Republic.

Desecrating the flag in any way is not a protest against the government that happens to be in power at the time, it is instead a protest against the very fiber of our nation. It is an assault on the senses of every American and should not be countenanced by the people, the legislature, or the courts.

Since the Supreme Court struck down the Federal Flag Protection Act of 1989, we know that the only way that we can protect this symbol of our national unity is to pass a Constitutional Amendment and I, for one, hope that our Senate can do the right thing and protect our flag.

Memorial Day

2006-05-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

Today is a day to remember and to honor those who have given their lives for their country, not for politicking. My wife and I attended the ceremonies in Grantsburg and were pleased with the rousing speech that was given.

Soldiers sign up to fight for us. They protect us, they sacrifice for us, they lay their lives down for us, so that we might live in peace and go about our daily lives in freedom. It is high time someone asked what we can do for them.

As the speaker today suggested, contact one of the many organizations that can hook you up with a soldier and then write to them, send them care packages, do something to let a soldier know that you appreciate them, and that they are not forgotten.

Happy Memorial Day to you, and may God Bless America!

President Bush's Speech on Illegals

2006-05-16T11:09:00.000-05:00

Last night the President spoke about our border with Mexico and how imperative it is that we get control of it. I can't agree more.

His plan to secure the border is something I can wholeheartedly endorse, and I believe the sooner the better. As I have stated often, we have the right, as a nation, to control our border.

His plan for a guest worker program is also one that I endorse, although I have some mis-givings about the bio-metric part. A photo I.D. works just fine, especially if the employer actually checks the numbers. Guest workers who came here legally would receive higher wages than illegals, and would level the playing field in competitive industries; they would also legitimately be on the tax rolls.

His plan for something in between amnesty and deportation, however, is not something that I can endorse. I believe the true middle ground is a TEMPORARY amnesty whereby illegals who register are given an I.D. and are then allowed up to three years without penalty to leave the country and apply, from outside the country, to re-enter legally. This is a solution that everyone should be able to agree on, because it takes all sides into account: Law enforcement will know to whom they're talking and whether they're legal or not. Business will not lose their work-force too quickly. Legal immigrants will see that illegals are not being rewarded for breaking the law. And illegals will have plenty of time to arrange travel, housing, and other accomodations while they remove themselves from an illegal situation.

We need new thinking for a new century, and no more of the politics as usual! It's time for a change! It's time for Tyberg.

Mother's Day

2006-05-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so today I'm writing to let you all know how much I love and respect my mom.

I was raised on a hobby farm outside of Grantsburg, wearing hand-me-down clothes and eating our own produce. Mom stayed home with my sister and me until we were both in school, and then took a part-time job that allowed her to be home before we arrived. Mom cooked our meals and helped us with our homework and took time to play with us as well. And when it was time to go to bed, she read to us, from the Bible, and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and others who would challenge us, comfort us, or entertain us.

It's been over 20 years now, since Mom began suffering from MS. This terrible disease took an active woman who enjoyed throwing haybales and softballs and made the very act of walking a torture. But Mom has never complained - far from it! She makes the most of her time, sending cards of comfort and encouragement to others who are in painful situations! And she spends much time praying, lifting friends and relatives to Heaven, and finding comfort and strength in the Almighty.

In a day and age where the importance of Motherhood, and of the nuclear family in general are being questioned, my mom stood against the trend and sacrificed herself and her interests for the good of the family. America needs more moms like my Mom, and I salute her this Mother's Day!

Gasoline Prices

2006-05-08T11:57:00.000-05:00

With the partisan rhetoric heating up over gasoline prices, it's time for some rational thought on the subject.

First and foremost, remember that around 58% of the cost of gasoline is the crude oil from which it is refined. Government officials in Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and Iran are making much more money than any American oil company. And that leads me to think that our first goal should be to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. With oil available in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, the government must take the lead in allowing our domestic oil resources to be used to their fullest. This would create jobs at the same time as it lowered prices.

Another major factor in the high price of gasoline is refineries. We have lost over 50% of our refineries in the past 30 years, and the last new refinery was completed in 1976. This at the same time that we have nearly doubled the number of miles per year that we drive! In a free market economy, where supply and demand determine price, it's a wonder we aren't paying $10 for a gallon! The House recently failed to pass a bill that would have stream-lined the application process for refineries, and helped to standardize requirements. This bill would have led to the creation of jobs as well as lowered gas prices, but Congressman Obey voted against it.

Taxes are another major factor in the cost of gasoline. Besides the taxes involved in drilling, refining, and transportation, you pay the federal government 18.4 cents per gallon and the state of Wisconsin another 32.1 cents. Since we're buying about 178 million gallons of gasoline per day, that means the federal government is collecting $3,275,200 per DAY in taxes. A summertime rollback on federal gasoline taxes would be one way the federal government could truly help folks out at the pump.

Crude oil is at about $1.83 per gallon right now, the federal government takes over 18.4 cents per gallon, and the state of Wisconsin takes 32.1 cents. That adds up to $2.335 per gallon. That leaves the "big oil" companies just about 50 cents per gallon to pay for refining, transportation, marketing, payroll, exploration, licensing, payroll taxes, maintenance and repairs. Is it any wonder that the profit margin is less than 9 cents per gallon?

So why are politicians demonizing "big oil" the way they did "big tobacco" back in the 90's? Because they sense a chance to win political points by exploiting the emotions of an electorate that doesn't have all of the facts. I'm not here to exploit anyone, nor to make political points. I'm running for Congress because we need rational leaders making rational decisions based on facts, not emotions.

It's time for a Change in the way we think about government! It's time for Tyberg!

55Feedback

2006-04-08T16:08:00.000-05:00

I had a great trip over to Wausau this week, and among the highlights was an hour and a half on the air with Pat Snyder on 550 Feedback. We had so many calls that we didn't have time to get to all of our subjects, and the time just flew by! My thanks to any of you who may have called that day. I look forward to joining Pat in-studio again soon.

One of the burning issues was immigration, and what we need to do. I stated my belief that the issue needs to be broken down into three, with a separate debate process for each. The first issue needs to be getting control of our border. That can be done fairly easily, with simple solutions like having the military, reserves, and National Guard do exercises along the border, besides remote surveillance and more personnel for the border guard. The second issue is how to deal with the illegal aliens among us, and for that, I believe, we need a temporary amnesty that would allow for registered illegals to stay in-country for a short time, while they figured out how to get back to their home country to apply for legal re-entry. Third, we need to create a worker program that allows temporary entry for those from south of the border who want to come here and work for a few years. That program needs to be expedited, and not put overly difficult requirements on applicants, but must be strong on enforcement and penalties for non-compliance.

We also talked about term limits, and many people feel as strongly as I do, that politicians shouldn't stay in Washington more than ten years. I'll have much more on this issue in the future, but let me close today with a quote from Alexander Solzhenitsyn, from his book "The Gulag Archipelago": Professional politicians are a boil on the neck of society, that doesn't allow it to turn its head or move its arm.

It's time for a change!

The Fair Tax

2006-03-27T08:30:00.000-06:00

From a Speech:
Did you know? Fully 85% of Americans, once they understand it, want the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax would eliminate all federal taxes, from income and payroll taxes to the hidden corporate and business taxes that you pay every time you purchase something. Instead, you would pay one national sales tax that would be the same tax everyone else pays. Gone would be the IRS with its 11 billion dollar operating budget and history of horror stories. Gone the federal tax codes so complex and self-contradicting that billions are spent figuring and avoiding taxes every year. Gone, the 1 trillion dollars in illegal revenues that currently avoid taxation. And gone, the 50% of all lobbyists in Washington who lobby on tax issues – their jobs would be unnecessary!

And then watch our economy blossom! Watch, as jobs are created when businesses no longer make their decisions based on tax implications! Watch, as off-shore corporations and tax shelters bring their money back into the economy! Watch, as Americans begin to invest, and save, when the tax incentives for borrowing disappear! And watch, as Americans who now get 100% of their paycheck spend, invest, and save as never before!

Recently, the President’s Commission on Tax Reform reported its findings. They didn’t mention the Fair Tax, and someone asked why? The Chairman stated that they decided beforehand, not to even look at the Fair Tax because it would take power out of the hands of Congress and put it into the hands of the people, and that would make too many politicians uncomfortable! The return to government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” begins here, and it begins now.

Dave Obey was quoted as stating that he is the Fair Tax's "worst enemy". Of course he is, he doesn't want you to have control over your money; he wants to control your money and how much of it you get to keep. So if you really think that Obey and the other Washingtonians know how best to spend your money, vote for him in November. But if you believe that you know best, and that you have the right to ALL of your paycheck, then it's time for Obey to go. It's time for a change! It's time to elect a true representative who will leave more of your paycheck in your pocket!

It's time for Tyberg!

South Dakota stands up for Life

2006-03-17T12:03:00.000-06:00

South Dakota's governor recently signed a bill that would make it illegal to perform any abortion in South Dakota, except to save the life of the mother. Doctors performing abortions would be subject to criminal penalties. While a lot of attention has been focused on the fact that there are no exceptions for health, or rape or incest, the truly important item lies in the wording of the bill itself.

You see, South Dakota's bill explicitly states that life begins at fertilization, and that from that point on the baby and the mother are equal in the eyes of the law. This is how it should be, and finally brings the abortion issue back to reality. It's not about privacy, it's about life! The life of an unborn baby, no matter how small, is no less important than the life of his mother.

The wording of this bill, when its upheld, will go a long way toward ending the debate over embryonic stem cell research as well. If the baby is a life, from the time of fertilization on, as the bill states, then it is murder to take the life of that unborn baby for any purpose. This is what the great majority of us know in our hearts is true, and even John Kerry and Al Gore have stated that life begins at conception. South Dakota is simply applying the Constitution fairly to the two lives involved in the abortion equation.

NARAL is already trying to raise money to elect a pro-abortion legislature in the Fall, and they're talking about a petition drive to take it to the voters on the November ballot as well. So the fight isn't over yet, but with President Bush's successful nomination of two constructionist judges (which was the reason many voted for him in 2004), there is good reason to hope that the tide is turned and that life will once again be protected under the laws of this United States.

Way to go, South Dakota!

Freedom of Speech

2006-03-16T11:24:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been a month since I last posted. It's been a busy month, with trips around the district, meeting with supporters and potential supporters. But something came across my desk this morning that needs immediate attention, so other things will have to be pushed back a bit while I write.

You see, H.R.1606 was pulled from the floor today, in favor of appropriations bills for Iraq and Katrina clean-up. This is both a good and a bad thing. Good because it will give supporters time to build up more support. Bad, because this bill should have been seen as more important than the appropriations bill, with all its attendant amendments (read PORK).

Now, you may be asking why H.R.1606 is so important, and the reason is simple: It would protect your 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech. You see, McCain-Feingold (the incumbent protection act) made it illegal to mention a candidate by name 30 days before a primary and 60 days before an election. The Act covered the internet, but the FEC refused to enforce it. Recently, the courts ordered the FEC to strictly enforce McCain-Feingold. So, if the House fails to past H.R.1606 you may just find that come August 12 in Wisconsin, political blogs like this one will be muzzled, in outright defiance of the 1st Amendment.

Please go to www.thelibertycommittee.org and click on the action alert button. You will then be able to send your current representative a message concerning this bill. They need to hear from you, and let them know that if they vote against this bill, and your 1st Amendment rights, that you will vote against them in November!

Before you Go

2006-02-13T09:31:00.000-06:00

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country!" This famous phrase, uttered by one of our country's most popular Presidents, was the motto of the 'Greatest Generation' of Americans.

Today that generation is slowly leaving us. Approximately 2,000 WWII veterans are dying every day. We owe them a debt we can never repay, for the simple fact that they sacrificed everything to buy us the freedom to live the American life. I received an email today with a song that is a tribute to this "greatest generation" and the things that they did. I urge you all to visit the link below and be reminded of what we owe our veterans of every generation.

http://www.managedmusic.com/beforeyougo.html

Then go out and thank a vet!

Deficit or Debt "Reduction"

2006-02-06T20:34:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday the House passed a deficit reduction bill that shaves $39 billion off the GROWTH of government programs over the next 5 years. In other words this bill isn't revolutionary, and it isn't turning this country's over-spending habits around. It isn't even as bold as to stop digging the hole we're in. It only slows the shovels a bit. Yet Dave Obey not only voted against this bill, he's spent a lot of time and effort mis-characterizing it as spending cuts!

The truth is we need bold new leadership in Congress! We need people who are committed to ending deficit spending once and for all, not just nibbling at the edges! It is time to end the entitlement mentality that permeates our culture! It is time once again to tell Americans to "ask not, what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country"! I will work hard in Congress to lead us out of this trend toward dependence on government, and back to independence!

For the future of our children and grandchildren, it is time for a change! It's time for Tyberg!

First Amendment under attack

2006-02-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

Dave Obey has joined forces with Barney Frank (D-Mass.) to launch a new round of attacks on your first amendment rights. They want to begin public funding of all House election campaigns, and make it illegal for any private citizen to spend money to help the candidate of their choice win. That means that groups that have already been severely hampered by McCain-Feingold, groups like your NRA, Wisconsin Right to Life, and others, would be completely silenced. You and I, and the groups we support, have the Constitutionally protected freedom to speak on political issues, but Dave Obey wants to take that away from us. That would leave the government, the media, and the two chosen candidates to tell us as much or as little of either side as they want to, now doesn't that sound nice?

As an OpEd piece in the Denver Post stated,"The term "public financing" has that '70s ring to it, an idea the nation outgrew when it outgrew its leisure suits." And indeed, public financing was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court back in the '70s. But maybe Dave, elected back in '69, is still living in the '70s.

The best solution to the problems in Washington is for the voters to elect honest men and women to represent them, then keep an eye on them. Both parties are guilty, and there's very little incentive for them to make any real changes. We must begin here, in the heartland, and raise the cry for accountability! We must work together to return control of Washington to people we can know and trust.

Join us in the fight for responsible government!

The January Blizzard

2006-02-02T08:40:00.000-06:00

Wow! The January Blizzard Campaign was quite a success! I visited all 20 counties during the month, and met hundreds of people. Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that it's time for a change.

It would take too long to give all the details, but I do want to share some highlights. After an early morning breakfast at Koni K's Restaurant in Elcho, I met around 30 customers, sharing with them the dream of true representation in Washington. Although some were skeptical at first, my background in missions gave assurance that I will be an honest representative. Going door to door in Hayward, Ladysmith, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Rhinelander, and Antigo led to many great conversations and quite a few new supporters. Events in Wausau, Abbottsford, Withee, Ladysmith, Superior, Hurley, and many other towns rounded out the month of rallying supporters. We also held small get togethers in private homes and gave interviews for newspapers, radio stations, and TV news across the district.

It was a long, exhausting, encouraging, exciting month and I look forward to repeating the process! I am enjoying meeting with my neighbors throughout the district and sharing common experiences of working and living here in Northwestern Wisconsin.

I'll see you soon!

It's Time for a New Vision

2006-01-09T10:31:00.000-06:00

As I’ve been out on the campaign trail I have met two gentlemen who remember back when our current Representative was first running. They both told me that one of his main arguments against a longtime incumbent was that he’d been there too long. According to Obey, once a person had been in Washington too long they weren’t any good to their district anymore. Somewhere along the line the power and prestige evidently got to Mr. Obey, and the shoe is now on the other foot.

You see, Mr. Obey constantly touts his experience and seniority as reasons to keep him in office. But, after 36 years of his representation, where are we? The mining industry has practically been shut down, and along with it the shipping industry. The forestry products industry went through tough times and is still struggling to survive. Family farmers have been forced get big or get out, while their once fertile fields are sold for housing developments or bought by the bigger farms. And Wisconsin ranks in the worst five for local and state tax burdens. Why? Because for all of his campaigning on money he brings back to the district, Wisconsin ranks in the bottom three states for money coming back from Washington!

I will work to decrease the federal tax burden for all Americans, while at the same time fighting to get Wisconsin our fair share of the money that we do have to send to Washington. We’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain! It’s time to begin forging a new path to a stronger future for the 7th District and America!

Move over Dave Obey: It’s time for Tyberg!

Cleaning up Washington

2006-01-03T13:28:00.000-06:00

The Jack Abramoff scandal is really starting to gain traction right now, and with his guilty plea today it's only going to get hotter for some Congressmen from both parties. The big questions right now aren't so much "Who is involved?", but "How did this happen?" and "What can we do to prevent it happening again?".

So how did this happen? Indian tribes that were restricted in the amount of money that they could give directly to campaigns and political parties found another way to get their money to its intended recipients. Mr. Abramoff put himiself into that position and kept a tidy amount for himself for his troubles. It seems no matter how many rules you make for politicians, someone will find a way to bend or break those rules to get the influence that they want.

There are many ways to prevent this from happening again, but I'm going to focus on three of them, two directly from my campaign website. First, instituting term limits would drastically lower the amount of money that lobbyists would be willing to pay for influence in Washington. Why? Because there would no longer be a system of seniority that gives people who have been there longer more influence and therefore a higher price tag for their ear.

Second, we need to dismantle the private pension plan of Congress. This will sharply reduce the urge to stay in Washington. It would also increase the probability that Congress would actually do something about the Social Security situation. And it would save taxpayers millions of dollars per year!

Third, elected officials should, by law, be required to reside in the state they were elected in for 5 years after they leave Congress. This requirement, along with term limits, and the fact that they are barred from joining a lobbying firm for a number of years after their term, would ensure that former Congressmen would not excercise undue influence in a new Congress.

Let's cut the golden cord that seems to keep folks in Washington longer than they ought to stay there, and restore personal accountability to elected office! It's time to change the system to encourage true public servants to not only go to Washington, but to come home again.

I won't stay in Washington more than 10 years, I will work to dismantle the private pension plan of Congress, and I will also work to ensure that Congressmen actually leave Washington when they leave Congress. I am committed to serving the people of the 7th District of Wisconsin, and America, by putting the "serve" back in public service.

It is time for a change!

Christmas

2005-12-30T16:32:00.000-06:00

We spent a wonderful, quiet Christmas with our family last weekend. Our campaign found two gifts under the Christmas tree with Sean Cronin and Jon Cermin coming on board. We are excited that these two gentlemen with experience in the political realm are 100% committed to helping us win this campaign and bring accountability back to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tomorrow night we will be chaperoning a youth group event to welcome in the new year. As we look into 2006, it looks to be a busy year. We're kicking off the year with a January Blizzard campaign that will take us to all 20 counties in the 7th District during the month of January. We will be attending fund-raisers, meet and greets, and county party events, as well as going door to door and meeting people where they are. Some events are still being finalized, but there are several on the events page already. If you don't see your county, feel free to contact the campaign directly and find out what's happening.

It is time that we begin to forge a new path to a stronger future for the 7th District and America, and that is why it is time for Tyberg!

The Salvation Army

2005-12-16T16:50:00.000-06:00

Today I spent two hours ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, outside the Wal-Mart in Saint Croix Falls. It was a bone-chilling experience, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. As is my custom, I was hat-less when I began, but one motherly lady decided that I needed a hat and told me she was going to buy me one as she walked in. True to her word, she presented me with a green stocking cap with jesters points and bells on her way back out. I was ringing the bells with my hand and head for the rest of the time.

I like people who do what they say they're going to do, don't you? I want people to know that when I tell them something I'm going to keep my word. When I say I'm pro-life from conception to natural death, you can believe it. When I say I'm going to stay in Washington no more than 10 years, you can believe it. When I say I want to cut spending, secure Social Security, and reduce the tax burden, you can know that I will fight to accomplish it. And when I finally let you know who has endorsed my candidacy, you'll be sure that you can believe it.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Operation Christmas Child

2005-12-12T09:40:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday Tanya and I were asked to help chaperone a local youth group as they went to a warehouse to help sort boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We were happy to do that as we had tried to volunteer last year but found that they had already filled their schedules.

It was a nice surprise to find out that some of the boxes sorted at the Twin Cities facilities were heading to Ukraine, Tanya's home country, where we had helped deliver boxes to the children at the orphanage a couple of years ago!

We had a great time with the youth, and knowing that we were a part of bringing a little bit of happiness into the life of a child in a place where joy is hard to find.

National Security and Border Control

2005-11-13T08:08:00.000-06:00

Our Constitution makes it clear that the main duty of our federal government is to secure our borders and protect us. Yet everyday, thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants are pouring across our border with Mexico and it seems very few in Washington have the backbone to do anything about it. It's time for that to change!

We need to immediately deploy military and National Guard units to aid the current border patrol units. We need to eventually build up the size of the border patrol so that they can cover the territory. We need to quickly work out extradition treaties with other countries so that their nationals can be deported within a week of being caught. We need to make it very clear to the Mexican government that we expect their full cooperation. We need to build tent prison camps as Governor Richardson has done in New Mexico. We also need to ensure that any person, from any nation, coming across the border with weapons is incarcerated for a substantial period of time either here or in his home country!

Amnesty will not work! We must, as a nation, make a concerted effort to rid our nation of illegal immigrants! Local, state, and federal law enforcement need to work together with citizens and businesses to identify and remove anyone who has come here illegally; especially those who have come here from countries that promote terrorism. Those businesses that continue to hire illegal immigrants should be fined sums large enough to convince them to discontinue the practice.

It's only a matter of time before our wide open border is the entrance point for a terrorist with a mission of violence and destruction. It's past time we did something about it!

It's time for a change! It's time for Tyberg!

Congress Attacks Freedom of Speech

2005-11-03T11:59:00.000-06:00

The First Amendment to our Constitution has been under attack for decades now. First by religious zealots who have successfully, though falsely, won wide recognition of the "establishment clause" as a ban on government involvement in religion. The fact is that this amendment was designed to protect our freedom to practice our religion, even if we happen to be a teacher or other government employee.

The First Amendment lost a major battle several years ago with the passage of McCain-Feingold, or the incumbent protection act. That law restricting your freedom to speak about politics with your money is a monument to the lack of understanding of the Constitution that runs rampant in Washington. It is also a sign of how far we have drifted from the course set for us by our Founding Fathers.

In a minor skirmish in the battle to save the First Amendment, the House of Representatives yesterday voted NOT to exempt blogs from Federal Election Commission (FEC) control under McCain-Feingold. Our Representative here in the 7th District of Wisconsin voted against you and me on this one, proving once again that it is time for a change!

It was a minor skirmish, because this was a "fast-track" vote, and the sponsors have vowed to bring it up again through normal channels. And since yesterday's vote showed a large majority in favor, it stands a good chance of passing. In the meantime, let your representative know that Congress needs to keep their hands off the internet! We the people want our voices to be heard!

It's time for a change! It's time for Tyberg!

Protecting the Gun Industry?

2005-10-27T18:48:00.000-05:00

Last Friday the House passed Senate bill 397, called the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act". Originally designed to protect the gun industry from frivolous lawsuits, this bill originally passed the House as H.R.800 with a large majority and support from both parties.

Unfortunately when the Senate got ahold of it, it got ugly. Senator Kohl of Wisconsin added a "Child Protection Amendment" that requires the sale of a "secure gun storage or safety device" with every handgun sold. This effectively puts a tax on the sale of handguns. Another amendment was added, directing the Attorney General's office to study armor piercing bullets. And, when you read it closely, if your unlocked gun is stolen, you are left unprotected from any lawsuits!

The House had a choice of revisiting and passing their first bill and forcing it into committee, but instead they took S.397 as it was and passed it. We are now just one small step away from mandatory use of trigger locks. We are also just one liberal A.G. away from almost any normal ammunition being declared "armor piercing".

My opponent was one of a handful of Democrats voting for this bill along with most Republicans. Imagine that, future gun control brought to you on a foundation laid by Republicans...

It's time for a change in Washington! It's time for Tyberg!

Introducing...!

2005-10-18T17:21:00.000-05:00

How do you like the look of the new website? We felt that it would be a good thing if we hosted it locally, since this whole campaign is a grassroots effort. It has been challenging, as we've redesigned it, but I believe that we have a better product with more control. We are excited about how it looks, and would appreciate your input on it.

If this is your first time to the site, please take your time and look around and feel free to give us your feedback.

Thanks a lot, and welcome!
Jeff