A Call from the 99 Percent and Approval from a Christian Coalition

The 99 percent called me the other day. I should say they robo-called me.

A recorded message left on my home answering machine asked me to call Congressman Gary Miller’s office to demand that he support the Buffett Rule (as in Warren Buffett) that would levy a 30 percent income tax on millionaires.

“Tell him to support the Buffett Rule and to support us, not the Wall Street robber barons,” the message said.

Miller (R-Diamond Bar) is running for the redrawn 31st Congressional District, which serves the cities of Loma Linda and Redlands. Longtime congressman Jerry Lewis is the current representative for the area, but announced he would retire rather than run for the new district.

Miller is one of several candidates that has played district musical chairs following the congressional redistricting.

Miller’s 42nd Congressional District was taken apart, leaving him to possibly run against his colleague Ed Royce for the newly formed 39th Congressional District. The 39th District includes Diamond Bar and Walnut.

Miller instead chose to run for the Lewis seat and now faces state senator Bob Dutton, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, community activist Renea Wickman, Redlands businessman Robert Mardis, former Congressional oversight attorney Justin Kim, Rita Ramirez Dean of Twentynine Palms, Scott B. Ferguson, of Redlands, Ryan Stephens, of Grand Terrace, Ray Culberson and Marlin Collins of San Bernardino.

I include the voicemail with this story.

Miller’s office made more news recently. His office announced that the congressman had gotten the highest rating possible by the largest Christian grassroots political organization in America.

The press release is below.

The largest Christian grassroots political organization in America has given Congressman Gary Miller their highest rating in the scorecard announcement released yesterday. By receiving both the “100%” top rating and the endorsement of the Reverend Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, Congressman Miller cements his role as a leader on behalf of families across America.

“I am proud and humbled to have the support of Reverend Lou Sheldon and the 100% rating by the Christian Coalition,” said Congressman Miller. “As a father of four, and a grandfather of three, protecting our shared family values has been as important to me the day I took office as it is now. I thank the Christian Coalition for the recognition of our shared faith and focus.”

Congressman Miller joins other California Congressmen Ed Royce (CA-40) and Tom McClintock (CA-4) in receiving the top rating. The score was based on 10 key house votes on issues ranging from repealing ObamaCare to denying taxpayer money for abortions and legislation ensuring adequate funding for our troops abroad and national defense.

The Christian Coalition, started in 1989, is a political organization made up of pro-family Americans who care deeply about ensuring that government serves to strengthen and preserve family values. Each election year, the Christian Coalition distributes tens of millions of voter guides based on its rating system to educate families on where legislators stand on critical pro-family issues.

James Ramos recently announced getting the support of more public safety organizations. This despite criticism by San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry who accused Ramos, Tribal chairman for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustee, of turning a blind eye to crime on tribal land.

Here’s a piece of that announcement:

James Ramos announced receiving the endorsements of two of San Bernardino County’s most influential public safety organizations, the CDF Firefighters and Inland Empire Chapter of Peace Officer’s Research Association endorse Ramos in his campaign for 3rd District Supervisor today. The CDF Firefighters of San Bernardino have contracts with the cities of Highland and Yucaipa to provide fire protection services and PORAC represents county law enforcement officials.

In a letter sent from CDF Firefighter Chapter Director, Elizabeth Brown stated, “Your support of Public Safety throughout the years in San Bernardino County made our endorsement of your candidacy the right decision.”

Ramos adds the two influential public safety groups to a list of public safety endorsements that include the Redlands Professional Fire Fighters, Redlands Police Officers’ Association as well as dozens of sheriff deputies, firefighters and police officers throughout the District.