Tuesday, June 20, 2006
1st District Candidate Survey: Vance Cheek
(Candidate responses are in bold.)
Basic Information:
Name: Vance W. Cheek, Jr.
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney, retired Commissioner of the Tennessee Claims Commission (judge), former Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee
Family: Wife, Jody W. Cheek (Married 9 years in August), Daughter, Catie V. Cheek (5 ¾ years. She insists on the ¾)
Education: Diploma, 1983, Science Hill High School, Johnson City, TN; B. S., 1987, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN; J. D., 1990, University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, TN.
Getting to Know You:
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mocking Bird, (1960). Harper Lee
Favorite Movie: The Godfather (1972)
Favorite TV Show: The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
Favorite Restaurant: Jody’s Kitchen (we’re always eating out so it’s a treat to stay home.)
Favorite Website: Espn.com
Favorite Leisure Activity: Sport; Cinema; Music (Guitar)
Favorite Vacation Spot: Walt Disney World
3 Favorite Songs:
(1) The Thrill is Gone, B. B. King;
(2) Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You, Led Zeppelin;
(3) Smooth, Carlos Santana
3 Most Admired People:
(1) My Parents, collectively;
(2) Ronald Reagan;
(3) Abraham Lincoln.
Questions:
1) National Spending - The Republican-led Congress has done little to curtail spending since the GOP last came into power in 2003. The national debt is approaching $8,500,000,000,000.00 according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. Conservatives both in D.C. and beyond the Beltway have put forth possible solutions, from targeting earmarks (through Senator Coburn's "Pork Busters" program) to altering the budget cycle (as with Ed Bryant's calls for a biennial budget). This sparks two questions:
a) How do you propose that Congressional spending be brought under control so that present and future generations are not saddled with extreme debts?
I will fight relentlessly for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, I will fight for a “pork busting” Line Item Veto Amendment, giving the President authority to trim the fat from the bills passed by Congress.
Any surplus derived from the responsible spending of taxpayers money would be directed to the national debt at each budget cycle whether it is an annual or biennial budget. I support the call for a biennial budget as such a process encourages longer term planning than the system currently in place.
b) Is your personal philosophy regarding the budget more along the lines of a traditional conservative or like that of former Congressman Jimmy Quillen, a 1st District hero who brought many federal dollars to East Tennessee that have assisted so many citizens of the 1st District?
There is a true difference between community investments and “pork”. The First District should benefit from federal funds that are designed to stimulate economic growth, better the quality of life for its citizens, keep persons and property safe and offer the best life possible for our children. I do not consider such funding “pork”; rather, I consider such programs to be investments because the final result is to make the First District a thriving, productive American community with a broad tax base. I consider “pork” to be the proverbial bridges to nowhere that are designed to repay political favors from special interests. As Congressman, I will work tirelessly to find investment opportunities for the First District. Given my qualifications and my experience in local and state government, I believe I am the most qualified candidate to bring these investment opportunities home.
2) Illegal Immigration - This is an issue that has garnered more attention as 2006 has progressed, with strong feelings lying on both sides of the debate. Everything from amnesty to shooting illegal aliens trying to cross over our borders has been put on the table. What specific measures would you support in the Congress to deal with this problem?
I do not support granting amnesty to illegal aliens. I support the President’s plan to use the National Guard to support the Border Patrol in their never-ending battle to protect America’s southern boarder. Having a brother-in-law serve on the Border Patrol for 4 years, I have heard first hand the dangers and challenges these brave men and women face. As Congressman, I will fight for appropriations to secure all of America’s boarders.
Specifically, I believe the Nation’s northern boarder is nearing an emergency state as well. National security is at risk any time a seemingly harmless vehicle comes from Canada without proper inspection. America must be on watch of all her borders in order to make her homeland truly secure.
3) Abortion - The right to life has remained one of the most divisive issues in American politics for several decades. What are your views on the abortion debate? Do you believe that the power to regulate abortion (either positively or negatively) lies with the states or with the federal government? If you are pro-life, do you believe that there should be any exceptions where abortion should be allowable?
I am a genuine supporter of the Right to Life movement based on my personal life story. I was born with a birth defect that caused my mother’s doctors to advise my parents to leave me in the hospital to live out my supposed short life. My parents were told not to name me, not to get attached to me and even not to try and hold me. Thankfully for me, my parents did hold me, did take me home and did give life a chance. I owe them everything.
I was raised that every life is precious no matter what one’s abilities may be. Everyone has something to offer the world, everyone has something to share. That is why my wife, Jody, and I decided to have a child. Despite knowing that a 50% chance existed that any child of mine would share my bone disease, we took a step of faith. That step of faith is now named Catie, a full-of-herself 6 year old, who is the light of our lives.
The Right to Life issue is a federal issue given the ruling in Roe v. Wade. I believe abortion should not be legal except in cases of rape, incest of the life of the mother. I support the overturning of Roe and the complete abolition of abortion on demand in this Country.
4) Military Intervention in the Middle East - President Bush has gone on the record as saying that American forces will remain in Iraq and Afghanistan until at least 2008. What are your views towards the current American foreign military involvement in the Middle East?
A statement that is not repeated enough is the following: America did not come to out enemies looking to start a war, our enemies came to America and started a war we much finish. I believe a military presence is necessary in the Middle East until reasonable stability can be achieved. Obviously, factions in the Middle East have been fighting since Biblical times; thus, our expectations for stability must be reasonable. That said, a withdrawal of troops at this time would create a huge void in the region. History reminds us that when voids are created, evil flocks to fill the void. We cannot have a repeat of Germany in the 1920’s. The United States must stay until the job is finished.
5) Energy Policy - Throughout the past several decades, America has drifted along without a sincere energy policy, resulting in others (whether sovereign states or corporations) dictating market forces regarding what we pay for energy and the sources of that energy (oil, coal, etc.). What would you add to a comprehensive national energy policy that would benefit the people of the 1st District?
As Congressman, I will fight forcefully for a comprehensive energy plan. Our country needs a comprehensive energy policy that forces the price of energy down by encouraging exploration, development and the study of alternative fuel sources. I consider the need for such a plan to be an issue of national security. With China, India and Vietnam coordinating energy creation hand-in-hand with economic growth, the United States can no longer sit idly by and wait for another generation to find our solution.
While the issue is quite complicated, there are four areas from which our next Congressman can begin: (1) Clean use of coal (the United States is sitting on approximately 200 years of coal reserves); (2) The United States must reutilize nuclear power; and, (3) Oil must be accessed responsibly without interference from special interests; and (4) alternative fuels such as ethanol as well as solar and hydroelectric power must be researched and developed at a more aggressive pace. Until such time as we implement a National Energy Policy, our addiction to foreign oil and energy sources will continue to handcuff the United State’s ability to compete in the global market.
6) Right to Bear Arms - Both the Federal and Tennessee Constitutions reflect strong language designed to protect the right to bear arms. What have you done personally to protect these rights, including passing knowledge to others or future generations?
As a gun owner, I am proud to support the Second Amendment. I do not believe the caliber of a weapon warrants its restriction. I support and encourage gun safety seminars; especially for our young men and women. Through learning how to respect and properly use a firearm, the youth of America can be better educated and thus safer. As Congressman, I will oppose legislation to ban the use of firearms and I will fight to protect each American’s right to bear arms.
7) Committee Assignments - Those who have served on Capitol Hill know that much of what you can accomplish depends on what committees or subcommittees to which you are assigned. What particular committee assignments would you push for if elected to Congress, and what would you hope to accomplish in those committees?
Firstly, I would ask to be placed on the Ways and Means Committee, knowing it would be a challenge for any freshman congressman to be so honored. However, given the cornerstone to my campaign message is to get government spending under control, I would be remiss if I did not aggressively seek such an assignment.
Secondly, as I have not been able to serve our Country through military service, I would ask to be placed on the House Armed Services Committee. Such would be my contribution to the protection of America. With a reserve division here in East Tennessee, I have been inspired to be the most supportive Congressman our military has ever known. Additionally, I would like to serve on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee to better assist those who have given so much for the sake of our freedom from the VA Hospital at Mountain Home, TN to the families and friends of POW/MIA’s who deserve a full, complete and accurate accounting of those left behind.
8) Goals and Terms - In thirty words or less, what do you hope to accomplish through your service to the 1st District? Also, do you pledge to term-limit yourself like Senators Bill Frist and Tom Coburn have done? If so, how many terms will you serve?
I will carry on the tradition of strong conservative voices that have echoed through Washington from East Tennessee thanks to great Congressman like B. Carroll Reece to Jimmy Quillen to Bill Jenkins. I will fight for East Tennessee values, the protection of our homeland and the strengthening of our military, economic and diplomatic positions in the ever-shrinking world.
Despite my age of 38, I have no desire to be a lifetime politician. If elected, I would desire to serve as long as I could be the most effective voice of the First District. I have no desire to use this office as a springboard of any kind. Election to the US Congress from the First District of Tennessee would be the greatest honor I could ever receive.
Basic Information:
Name: Vance W. Cheek, Jr.
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney, retired Commissioner of the Tennessee Claims Commission (judge), former Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee
Family: Wife, Jody W. Cheek (Married 9 years in August), Daughter, Catie V. Cheek (5 ¾ years. She insists on the ¾)
Education: Diploma, 1983, Science Hill High School, Johnson City, TN; B. S., 1987, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN; J. D., 1990, University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, TN.
Getting to Know You:
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mocking Bird, (1960). Harper Lee
Favorite Movie: The Godfather (1972)
Favorite TV Show: The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
Favorite Restaurant: Jody’s Kitchen (we’re always eating out so it’s a treat to stay home.)
Favorite Website: Espn.com
Favorite Leisure Activity: Sport; Cinema; Music (Guitar)
Favorite Vacation Spot: Walt Disney World
3 Favorite Songs:
(1) The Thrill is Gone, B. B. King;
(2) Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You, Led Zeppelin;
(3) Smooth, Carlos Santana
3 Most Admired People:
(1) My Parents, collectively;
(2) Ronald Reagan;
(3) Abraham Lincoln.
Questions:
1) National Spending - The Republican-led Congress has done little to curtail spending since the GOP last came into power in 2003. The national debt is approaching $8,500,000,000,000.00 according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. Conservatives both in D.C. and beyond the Beltway have put forth possible solutions, from targeting earmarks (through Senator Coburn's "Pork Busters" program) to altering the budget cycle (as with Ed Bryant's calls for a biennial budget). This sparks two questions:
a) How do you propose that Congressional spending be brought under control so that present and future generations are not saddled with extreme debts?
I will fight relentlessly for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, I will fight for a “pork busting” Line Item Veto Amendment, giving the President authority to trim the fat from the bills passed by Congress.
Any surplus derived from the responsible spending of taxpayers money would be directed to the national debt at each budget cycle whether it is an annual or biennial budget. I support the call for a biennial budget as such a process encourages longer term planning than the system currently in place.
b) Is your personal philosophy regarding the budget more along the lines of a traditional conservative or like that of former Congressman Jimmy Quillen, a 1st District hero who brought many federal dollars to East Tennessee that have assisted so many citizens of the 1st District?
There is a true difference between community investments and “pork”. The First District should benefit from federal funds that are designed to stimulate economic growth, better the quality of life for its citizens, keep persons and property safe and offer the best life possible for our children. I do not consider such funding “pork”; rather, I consider such programs to be investments because the final result is to make the First District a thriving, productive American community with a broad tax base. I consider “pork” to be the proverbial bridges to nowhere that are designed to repay political favors from special interests. As Congressman, I will work tirelessly to find investment opportunities for the First District. Given my qualifications and my experience in local and state government, I believe I am the most qualified candidate to bring these investment opportunities home.
2) Illegal Immigration - This is an issue that has garnered more attention as 2006 has progressed, with strong feelings lying on both sides of the debate. Everything from amnesty to shooting illegal aliens trying to cross over our borders has been put on the table. What specific measures would you support in the Congress to deal with this problem?
I do not support granting amnesty to illegal aliens. I support the President’s plan to use the National Guard to support the Border Patrol in their never-ending battle to protect America’s southern boarder. Having a brother-in-law serve on the Border Patrol for 4 years, I have heard first hand the dangers and challenges these brave men and women face. As Congressman, I will fight for appropriations to secure all of America’s boarders.
Specifically, I believe the Nation’s northern boarder is nearing an emergency state as well. National security is at risk any time a seemingly harmless vehicle comes from Canada without proper inspection. America must be on watch of all her borders in order to make her homeland truly secure.
3) Abortion - The right to life has remained one of the most divisive issues in American politics for several decades. What are your views on the abortion debate? Do you believe that the power to regulate abortion (either positively or negatively) lies with the states or with the federal government? If you are pro-life, do you believe that there should be any exceptions where abortion should be allowable?
I am a genuine supporter of the Right to Life movement based on my personal life story. I was born with a birth defect that caused my mother’s doctors to advise my parents to leave me in the hospital to live out my supposed short life. My parents were told not to name me, not to get attached to me and even not to try and hold me. Thankfully for me, my parents did hold me, did take me home and did give life a chance. I owe them everything.
I was raised that every life is precious no matter what one’s abilities may be. Everyone has something to offer the world, everyone has something to share. That is why my wife, Jody, and I decided to have a child. Despite knowing that a 50% chance existed that any child of mine would share my bone disease, we took a step of faith. That step of faith is now named Catie, a full-of-herself 6 year old, who is the light of our lives.
The Right to Life issue is a federal issue given the ruling in Roe v. Wade. I believe abortion should not be legal except in cases of rape, incest of the life of the mother. I support the overturning of Roe and the complete abolition of abortion on demand in this Country.
4) Military Intervention in the Middle East - President Bush has gone on the record as saying that American forces will remain in Iraq and Afghanistan until at least 2008. What are your views towards the current American foreign military involvement in the Middle East?
A statement that is not repeated enough is the following: America did not come to out enemies looking to start a war, our enemies came to America and started a war we much finish. I believe a military presence is necessary in the Middle East until reasonable stability can be achieved. Obviously, factions in the Middle East have been fighting since Biblical times; thus, our expectations for stability must be reasonable. That said, a withdrawal of troops at this time would create a huge void in the region. History reminds us that when voids are created, evil flocks to fill the void. We cannot have a repeat of Germany in the 1920’s. The United States must stay until the job is finished.
5) Energy Policy - Throughout the past several decades, America has drifted along without a sincere energy policy, resulting in others (whether sovereign states or corporations) dictating market forces regarding what we pay for energy and the sources of that energy (oil, coal, etc.). What would you add to a comprehensive national energy policy that would benefit the people of the 1st District?
As Congressman, I will fight forcefully for a comprehensive energy plan. Our country needs a comprehensive energy policy that forces the price of energy down by encouraging exploration, development and the study of alternative fuel sources. I consider the need for such a plan to be an issue of national security. With China, India and Vietnam coordinating energy creation hand-in-hand with economic growth, the United States can no longer sit idly by and wait for another generation to find our solution.
While the issue is quite complicated, there are four areas from which our next Congressman can begin: (1) Clean use of coal (the United States is sitting on approximately 200 years of coal reserves); (2) The United States must reutilize nuclear power; and, (3) Oil must be accessed responsibly without interference from special interests; and (4) alternative fuels such as ethanol as well as solar and hydroelectric power must be researched and developed at a more aggressive pace. Until such time as we implement a National Energy Policy, our addiction to foreign oil and energy sources will continue to handcuff the United State’s ability to compete in the global market.
6) Right to Bear Arms - Both the Federal and Tennessee Constitutions reflect strong language designed to protect the right to bear arms. What have you done personally to protect these rights, including passing knowledge to others or future generations?
As a gun owner, I am proud to support the Second Amendment. I do not believe the caliber of a weapon warrants its restriction. I support and encourage gun safety seminars; especially for our young men and women. Through learning how to respect and properly use a firearm, the youth of America can be better educated and thus safer. As Congressman, I will oppose legislation to ban the use of firearms and I will fight to protect each American’s right to bear arms.
7) Committee Assignments - Those who have served on Capitol Hill know that much of what you can accomplish depends on what committees or subcommittees to which you are assigned. What particular committee assignments would you push for if elected to Congress, and what would you hope to accomplish in those committees?
Firstly, I would ask to be placed on the Ways and Means Committee, knowing it would be a challenge for any freshman congressman to be so honored. However, given the cornerstone to my campaign message is to get government spending under control, I would be remiss if I did not aggressively seek such an assignment.
Secondly, as I have not been able to serve our Country through military service, I would ask to be placed on the House Armed Services Committee. Such would be my contribution to the protection of America. With a reserve division here in East Tennessee, I have been inspired to be the most supportive Congressman our military has ever known. Additionally, I would like to serve on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee to better assist those who have given so much for the sake of our freedom from the VA Hospital at Mountain Home, TN to the families and friends of POW/MIA’s who deserve a full, complete and accurate accounting of those left behind.
8) Goals and Terms - In thirty words or less, what do you hope to accomplish through your service to the 1st District? Also, do you pledge to term-limit yourself like Senators Bill Frist and Tom Coburn have done? If so, how many terms will you serve?
I will carry on the tradition of strong conservative voices that have echoed through Washington from East Tennessee thanks to great Congressman like B. Carroll Reece to Jimmy Quillen to Bill Jenkins. I will fight for East Tennessee values, the protection of our homeland and the strengthening of our military, economic and diplomatic positions in the ever-shrinking world.
Despite my age of 38, I have no desire to be a lifetime politician. If elected, I would desire to serve as long as I could be the most effective voice of the First District. I have no desire to use this office as a springboard of any kind. Election to the US Congress from the First District of Tennessee would be the greatest honor I could ever receive.
Permalink posted by Rob Huddleston @ 7:52 AM 
Comments:
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Hello Rob and all,
You may not initially agree with everything I reveal, but please be a little patient with my long-winded presentation of what I have waited a very long time to be able to say. I promise to amaze and enlighten.
Now for the worst part of this horrendous equation.
Pay close attention, profundity knocks at the door, listen for the key. Be Aware! Scoffing causes blindness...
Bush, Cheney, and the NeoCons are Vatican operatives hell-bent on impoverishing and indebting the USA. Looks like their plans have worked like a charm while the brain-dead American public remains duped, deluded, and addicted to money, religion, and politics. Who says you can't fool most of the people, most of the time...
Humanity has long been deceived and deluded into thinking that money is a positive means to manage life, societies and civilizations. Chapter 2 of Revelations from the Apocalypse, Volume 1: Here is Wisdom thoroughly exposes the foundational deceptions associated with the concept of money and how it is actually a severe hardship on every aspect of life and every endeavor that must bear the burden of its unnecessary overhead and resulting stifling complexity. Money severely impedes the quality of life, society, and civilization by spawning myriad horrendous side effects (poverty, crime, wars, pollution, waste, greed, stress, etc.) which are all traced directly to its presence, purposeful shortage, and imposed requirement.
Here's a real hot potato! Eat it up, digest it, and then feed it's bones to the hungry...
Money was conceived millennia ago by the priesthood of ancient Babylon to subvert the resources and energies of entire populations for the benefit of a rich and powerful few. Chapter 2 further pierces the ages-old smoke and mirrors surrounding the scourge of money, banking and credit (usury) by exposing their core logic and common denominator math. It exposes the purposeful and well-sculpted math and logic trap imposed upon humanity by the Vatican, its ancient predecessors, and their secret-society cohorts.
It is abundantly clear that imposing money upon the entire world and then forcing people to participate in usury, pay taxes, compounding interest on national debts, and then to struggle their lives away for the sake of money, is extortion and great injustice on a grand scale. To cause suffering and despair for profit on such a grand scale can only be described as abominably evil. The time has finally arrived to demand a full accounting from the Papacy, Vatican, and all of their cohorts and chief supporters. They have no right to cause such overwhelming despair and suffering for millennia. They have no right to deceive practically everyone on such a grand scale. Why do our national leaders conspire with them and participate in such great evil while pretending to serve the Creator? Why do people still have blind faith in such obvious deceivers and their deceptions while they continue perpetrating such widespread and horrendous evil and abominations?
The time has come to wake-up and prove to these duplicitous scoundrels that you are only temporary marks and dupes.
Money: The Greatest Lie Ever Told
Peace...
Post a Comment
You may not initially agree with everything I reveal, but please be a little patient with my long-winded presentation of what I have waited a very long time to be able to say. I promise to amaze and enlighten.
Now for the worst part of this horrendous equation.
Pay close attention, profundity knocks at the door, listen for the key. Be Aware! Scoffing causes blindness...
Bush, Cheney, and the NeoCons are Vatican operatives hell-bent on impoverishing and indebting the USA. Looks like their plans have worked like a charm while the brain-dead American public remains duped, deluded, and addicted to money, religion, and politics. Who says you can't fool most of the people, most of the time...
Humanity has long been deceived and deluded into thinking that money is a positive means to manage life, societies and civilizations. Chapter 2 of Revelations from the Apocalypse, Volume 1: Here is Wisdom thoroughly exposes the foundational deceptions associated with the concept of money and how it is actually a severe hardship on every aspect of life and every endeavor that must bear the burden of its unnecessary overhead and resulting stifling complexity. Money severely impedes the quality of life, society, and civilization by spawning myriad horrendous side effects (poverty, crime, wars, pollution, waste, greed, stress, etc.) which are all traced directly to its presence, purposeful shortage, and imposed requirement.
Here's a real hot potato! Eat it up, digest it, and then feed it's bones to the hungry...
Money was conceived millennia ago by the priesthood of ancient Babylon to subvert the resources and energies of entire populations for the benefit of a rich and powerful few. Chapter 2 further pierces the ages-old smoke and mirrors surrounding the scourge of money, banking and credit (usury) by exposing their core logic and common denominator math. It exposes the purposeful and well-sculpted math and logic trap imposed upon humanity by the Vatican, its ancient predecessors, and their secret-society cohorts.
It is abundantly clear that imposing money upon the entire world and then forcing people to participate in usury, pay taxes, compounding interest on national debts, and then to struggle their lives away for the sake of money, is extortion and great injustice on a grand scale. To cause suffering and despair for profit on such a grand scale can only be described as abominably evil. The time has finally arrived to demand a full accounting from the Papacy, Vatican, and all of their cohorts and chief supporters. They have no right to cause such overwhelming despair and suffering for millennia. They have no right to deceive practically everyone on such a grand scale. Why do our national leaders conspire with them and participate in such great evil while pretending to serve the Creator? Why do people still have blind faith in such obvious deceivers and their deceptions while they continue perpetrating such widespread and horrendous evil and abominations?
The time has come to wake-up and prove to these duplicitous scoundrels that you are only temporary marks and dupes.
Money: The Greatest Lie Ever Told
Peace...
<< Home
