Heather Beaven re: JOHN MICA a/k/a "JOHN LUIGI MICA," and All of His Pork, Work and Pomps

Dear Friend,

As Labor Day weekend approaches, the nation’s unemployment remains high and private sector jobs remains scarce. Thousands each week are filing for first-time unemployment. Here in District 7 we are facing some of the highest unemployment rates in the entire state; my home county – Flagler – hovers around 17% unemployment. Make no mistake, work is the issue. Our elected officials should be fighting for our working families, especially in a recession; but they are not addressing the issue. Our Congressman, John Mica, is part of the problem. Since 2008, Mica has been a party to $58 million dollars in pork project spending requests. In fact, he single-handedly sponsored $21 million in pork. 55% of those dollars – YOUR dollars – went directly to private, for-profit companies. Of course, he didn't get everything he wanted; if he had, Mica's pork wish-list for 2009 alone would have cost us $139 million in earmarks. Let’s do a little simple math. There are six counties in District 7. Each county’s individual cost of John Mica’s yummy pork spending is $3.5 million. In 2009, the per capita income in Flagler County was $28,488. Some parts of District 7 will be a little higher; some a little lower. But let’s just agree that $28,488 is a good average. That puts the average income in the 15% tax bracket, meaning their federal tax bill is around $3,856 per year. That’s $10.56 a day – every day of the year – in federal taxes. In other words, the people of Flagler County labor three days so John Mica can pass out campaign trinkets made of pork. Even in a recession. There are around 91,000 residents of Flagler County. Ironically, their bill for the Mica Blue Plate Pork Special is just over $38.00 per person. I guess you could call it a tithe, but then again…a tithe is voluntary. And wait a minute – John Mica has spent decades positioning himself as a fiscal conservative. How does that square with his ravenous appetite for pork? Yeah, I still can’t understand it either. But it gets worse. You aren’t going to believe this, but you simply can’t make up John Mica’s hypocrisy. Mica actually voted NO on each and every appropriations bill that included his own pork spending! Don’t let John Mica get away with his Pork Hypocrisy this Labor Day! Yes, seriously. Defense Appropriations (08 & 09), Transportation & HUD Appropriations (08, 09 & 10), Homeland Security Appropriations (09 & 10), Commerce, Justice & Science Appropriations (08 & 09), Labor, Health & Human Services and Education Appropriations (08 & 09) and Energy & Water Appropriations (08)…all NO votes by Mica. Here’s the Mica Pork Plan: Stuff the bill to get campaign contributions. Get your pals to vote YES so you can be sure it passes. Vote NO to try to fool the voters. Then, show up to the ribbon-cutting to get press. Diabolical. But only if he gets away with it again. Don’t let John Mica get away with his Pork Hypocrisy this Labor Day! I’m in this race because our families’ hard work is not for sale. I will be a champion in Congress for working families and will protect your investment for a brighter future for our children. Because our district deserves better. Sincerely, Democratic Candidate for Congress Florida's 7th District ABOUT HEATHER BEAVEN Heather is a Mom, Wife, Navy Veteran and CEO of a 501(c)3 non-profit that focuses on bringing education, workforce development and economic development together to help young people better themselves through education and personal responsibility. She is running for Congress in Florida as a Democrat.