Please excuse the long post. If you want to read the following, Steve Kagen used to have a NRA endorsement on his web site and now it's gone. Steve Kagen is telling NRA members and gun owners he used them just to get votes and took it off because the anti gun wacko's told him to get rid of it. We gun owners are a bunch of fools or are we?
If your a gun owner and you care please scroll to the bottom.
News Reports
Appleton’s Steve Kagen bucks Democrats as party lines blur [Appleton Post-Crescent]
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen says he put politics and his upcoming re-election campaign aside and voted against the financial bailout plan on Monday because it did nothing to secure the economy.
“Nothing good happens fast, so let’s not rush to judgment,” said Kagen, of Appleton, shortly after he helped vote down the $700 billion emergency bailout package.
Kagen was the lone Democrat from the Wisconsin delegation against the banking rescue. He joined an unusual coalition of Democrats and Republicans, including Republicans Tom Petri of Fond du Lac and Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls, in casting dissenting votes…
Kagen says it came down to this: He was elected to represent the best interest of families in the 8th Congressional District, not those of Wall Street. He said constituents in his district made it clear they were against the legislation over the past several days…
Just because there is support for action to correct the financial meltdown doesn’t mean that voters supported the specific bailout bill that was defeated Monday, Kagen said.
After consulting with economists and financial experts, Kagen concluded the proposed bill did not offer relief to homeowners.
“The economic crisis started with the collapse of the housing bubble. Until we address the housing situation and find a pricing floor, we will be unable to take a step forward,” Kagen said.
The public shouldn’t be worried they’re going to lose everything they have. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which insures bank deposits, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates the stock market, have the to maintain stability in the economic system.
“The FDIC can immediately offer reassurance and calm the fears of everyone by guaranteeing that every taxpayer will have their money safe and sound in every bank and every financial institution,” he said. “The SEC can change its accounting rules today.”
State reaction to bailout: ‘No and hell, no’ [Green Bay Press-Gazette]
Thursday, September 25th, 2008
By Ellyn Ferguson
WASHINGTON — “Bailout” is a dirty word in the Badger State.
Just ask Wisconsin lawmakers who’ve gotten hundreds of calls, letters, e-mails and faxes — mostly from angry constituents upset by the Bush administration’s $700 billion proposal to rescue the financial services industry.
The feedback is especially striking because it appears to be spontaneous and not the product of an organized campaign, lawmakers and staffers said.
“Resoundingly, they are saying two things: No and hell, no,” said Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton. He’s gotten about 500 letters from people in the 8th Congressional District…
Petri, Kagen and Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold said they believe something must be done to keep credit flowing and the economy working. They say whatever plan is developed must balance protections for taxpayers with efforts to revive the economy…
Kagen’s economic advisory council — a cross section of business people and academics — has told him “the (financial) crisis is real and Congress has to come up with a real solution.”
Kagen thinks a final plan should include prosecution of any criminal acts that may have contributed to companies’ financial woes, as well as new regulations to prevent a recurrence of the current credit problems.
“I’d like to be able to take a document home and review it with experts back home (before voting),” Kagen said.
Read the full article on the Green Bay Press-Gazette website
A comprehensive national energy policy will lead to a better future [WisOpinion.com column]
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
By Steve Kagen
The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
To solve our crippling crisis of impossible gasoline prices that are over $4 per gallon, we need a comprehensive national energy strategy, and we need leaders who are on our side – not Big Oil.
Where is this administration’s energy plan?
This crisis was totally predictable and unfortunately it is forcing every family, every business, and governments at every level to operate in a perpetual state of “crisis planning.” In fact, today’s impossible gas prices are threatening the survival of major manufacturers and small businesses alike, even as ongoing speculation in oil futures remains unrestrained. The truth is there is no shortage of fuel — we just don’t have the money in our pockets to buy the energy we need.
There is a better way of doing things. Although alternative energies won’t be ready to meet our needs for a number of years, we can’t just wait any longer to make plans for our energy independence. We need to start producing more of our own energy right now. If we want to keep more of our money at home, support the U.S. economy and provide American jobs, then we must produce more of our own oil and gas.
It is time to say “No!” to the campaign cash handed out by Big Oil’s corporate lobbyists and other special interests. The first priority is to stop pointing fingers and instead join hands to create a comprehensive national energy plan — not behind closed doors, but right here in the open. For months, I have advocated the following steps.
- Drill for new oil and natural gas in America. Our nation has substantial untapped oil reserves, both under federal lands already leased to oil companies and offshore in U.S. territory.
With appropriate safeguards - like giving states the right to decide if they will allow drilling off of their shores - these reserves should be drilled, and the oil extracted from them should be made available to American citizens first. - Invest in renewable energy. We must move beyond fossil fuels toward renewable sources of energy. Washington’s role should include promoting millions of new jobs with tax incentives for U.S. companies investing in this new technology.
- Prevent price manipulation. Stopping unfair speculation in the oil markets can immediately lower the price of gas at the pump and provide families and small business with relief. Also, I have called on the President and his allies to sell a portion of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve on the domestic market to instantly increase supply and cut gas prices.
These three steps are fundamental to the success of an independent energy future for America and will create millions of new jobs.
In the coming days, Congress will take up a comprehensive energy package that will provide relief for consumers, end our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of jobs and grow our economy. We must promote efficiency and invest in renewable sources of energy, responsibly increase domestic supply by opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, with appropriate safeguards, and without taxpayer subsidies to oil companies and require the oil companies to pay the billions of dollars they owe in royalties to invest in clean energy resources.
It is my hope that this will be a bipartisan energy bill that addresses all of these concerns. I look forward to joining my Democratic and Republican colleagues in Congress to try a different approach: working together on a legislative solution. It requires compromise, and in the legislative process, that’s how things get done.
None of this will be easy, and some of it won’t be quick. The time is right to craft a national energy policy that allows working families in Wisconsin to spend less of their money padding the bank accounts of oil executives — and more of it on themselves. By working together, we will build an energy independent future for all of us.
– Kagen, a Democrat, represents Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.
Kagen Brings NewPage Workers’ Stories to Washington [WBAY-TV]
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
By Sarah Thomsen
While both NewPage mills in Kimberly and Niagara sit quiet now, halfway across the country the mills are still creating noise.
It’s only been a couple days since the mill in Kimberly produced its last roll of paper, putting 475 people out of jobs. Since news of the plant’s closure, workers and even lawmakers rallied to keep it open, and now to reopen it.
Wednesday night that fight went all the way to Washington.
“I rise this evening to present some of the stories from Northeast Wisconsin, a region of the country known as Paper Valley,” Representative Steve Kagen said.
With blown-up photographs of families standing behind him, Kagen stood on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Kagen, who represents Kimberly and Niagara workers as an 8th District Congressman, is trying to put a name and face on the now jobless paperworkers to show other lawmakers what’s happening back in Northeast Wisconsin.
Federal agency to hold hearing on foreign paper imports [Appleton Post-Crescent]
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
By Ellyn Ferguson
WASHINGTON — Rep. Steve Kagen plans to testify next month at an International Trade Commission hearing on behalf of paper-making company Appleton, which is pressing for federal action against what it says is damaging and unfair competition from Chinese companies.
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“I’ll be bringing up some pertinent examples of damages incurred by illegal paper being dumped into our marketplace,” Kagen said Tuesday…
Kagen said he will deliver remarks on the House floor this week detailing the effects of the Kimberly Mill closing on individual families.
Photos: Thousands rally to try to keep Kimberly NewPage mill open [Appleton Post-Crescent]
Sunday, September 7th, 2008
KIMBERLY — NewPage Corp. workers won’t go quietly when their paper mill shuts down Monday, and Saturday they, their families, friends and community showed they aren’t ready to give up the fight.
A crowd of well over 3,000 people, from elderly in wheelchairs to young parents pushing babies in strollers, descended on Memorial Park to demonstrate “Papermaker Pride” and lend their support in the shadow of the big blue building that means so much to Kimberly…
Click here for a gallery of photos from the rally
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, said he will take those signatures to the International Trade Commission when he testifies Oct. 2. Kagen told the crowd NewPage’s shutdown is an example of corporate greed and unfair and unbalanced trade deals that have been sending U.S. jobs overseas. “We’re only here today because of a failed trade policy.”
Kagen is also one of four Wisconsin members of Congress to request a meeting with John Snow, chairman of Cerberus Capital Management, NewPage’s owner, to discuss the closing and potential buyers…
Kagen launches 2nd-term campaign [Shawano Leader]
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
By Tim Ryan
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) stopped in Shawano Tuesday as part of a campaign swing officially marking the start of his re-election bid to the 8th Congressional District.
Kagen will once again face Republican John Gard, who lost to Kagen when both ran for the vacant seat in 2006.
More than 70 people crowded into American Legion Post 117 for Kagen’s appearance.
“We’re here in the legion to commemorate the service of our veterans,” said Kagen, who then asked veterans in attendance to stand for a round of applause.
Kagen said the government needed to continue to guarantee benefits for veterans.
“You covered our backs in harm’s way and we have to cover your backs at home,” Kagen said.
Kagen told the crowd he expected a tough race against Gard.
“We need your support more than ever,” he said.
Kagen, who is in his first term as congressman, said he found there is sometimes a skeptical attitude in Washington toward freshman lawmakers from the 8th Congressional District.
“You’re not really here until you’re re-elected,” he said.
The 8th Congressional District has traditionally gone Republican, except for a few one-term Democrats who were elected.
Kagen quoted Robert F. Kennedy in saying the election rides on questions of what kind of a nation we want to be and what direction we want to take.
“We have to turn this country around,” Kagen said.
Kagen highlighted the bipartisan success in saving Senior Care during his first term and the implementation of Homeland Security recommendations made by the 9-11 Commission.
He said another priority is expanding the middle class.
“We need tax breaks for the middle class and higher-wage jobs,” he said…
In visit to Rhinelander, Kagen hits back on off-shore drilling [The Daily News]
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
By Giles Morris
U.S. Congressman Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) is campaigning hard for re-election in his race with Republican John Gard. He visited Rhinelander on Wednesday afternoon to discuss his platforms on energy policy, healthcare, and the war in Iraq, during a busy sweep of the territory he represents.
Gard has attacked Kagen’s energy policies and accused Kagen of being a Washington insider disconnected from the needs of his constituents.
One of the most contentious partisan issues in Congress over the past month has been off-shore oil drilling, something both Kagen and Gard say they support.
“Yesterday I had a conversation with (Speaker of the House Nancy) Pelosi and we’ve convinced her that we need to present a bill that supports off-shore drilling,” Kagen said.
Republicans in the House and Senate have pushed aggressively for lifting barriers to off-shore drilling while Democrats have advocated for employing a variety of tactics to offset high fuel prices, including some off-shore drilling, renewable energy and nuclear power. The fact is that members of both parties are scrambling to show that they stand with their hurting constituents on the issue of rising gas prices and almost all of them are advocating the pursuit of a wide menu of options.
Gard has also accused Kagen of being unwilling to meet him in a public debate. Kagen refuted the claim, saying his obligations as a representative have made for other priorities, including a recent visit to Iraq.
“I’m proud to have the honor of representing John and nearly 700,000 other constituents. We know what John’s ideas are and he’s doing a good job of misrepresenting my work to the public while he does the work for big oil companies,” Kagen said.
Gard proposes a wide-scale increase in off-shore oil drilling and opening up drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. Kagen said he would first prioritize pushing oil companies to drill on land they already lease.
“We have an estimated 100 to 200 billion barrels of oil under 68 million acres that are already under lease to oil companies and available for drilling,” Kagen said.
Kagen also advocates to the rapid development of natural gas resources in states like Arkansas where massive deposits have been discovered recently.
Kagen promises change [Appleton Post-Crescent]
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
Appleton Democrat now running as favorite in 8th District rematch
By Ed Lowe
APPLETON — When allergist Steve Kagen edged John Gard to represent the Republican-leaning 8th Congressional District in 2006, his winning campaign was all about change.
Two years later, he and Gard are renewing the battle, each offering different versions of what has become, by every appearance, a dearly precious political commodity: Change.
Kagen, D-Appleton, who defeated Gard by a margin of fewer than 6,000 votes two years ago, formally declared his candidacy for a second term Wednesday night at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
He did so as a celebratory crowd of some 200 supporters cheered the Democrat who represents a Congressional district long considered reliable Republican turf.
Kagen, part of a wave of Democrats swept into Congress two years ago, called on supporters to help “finish the job we began in 2006.”
Kagen Makes Re-election Campaign Official [WBAY-TV]
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
Congressman Steve Kagen made his run for re-election official Wednesday night. Kagen made his campaign announcement at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton…
Read the full article on the WBAY-TV website
See, no NRA endorsement.
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