The election season has drawn to a close, and as most of you know, Congressman Otter was re-elected for a second two-year term in November. While we did not achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Republican nomination, we may take solace in running a clean and efficient campaign that won 21.5% of the vote- quite an achievement for a small-town family man with a limited campaign budget.

While there may be some key differences in the beliefs of Jim and Congressman Otter, we are confident that Congressman Otter will continue to work for the goals that all Idahoans share, and continue to do so with class.

On another note, our campaign is still missing fourteen 4 x 8 foot plywood campaign signs that were taken from their locations during the campaign. There is currently a reward being offered for the return of these signs � for more information, please contact Jim.

I am seeking the Republican nomination for Idaho�s First Congressional District in order to represent the people of Idaho in an equal and unbiased manner. While it may be both fun and comfortable to be in the good ole boys� clubhouse, it is a frustrating and humbling experience when you are one of the people left on the outside, looking in for congressional representation.

While our odds are long, this campaign is built on the premise that the citizens of Idaho deserve a truly representative and responsive government. Democracy is not solely an idea for which battles are fought overseas, but rather one that we must diligently protect at home as well. This campaign is intended to give the voters of Idaho a choice of candidates and the ability to express their opinions (with their votes) concerning the issues that this campaign will attempt to address.

While Congressman Otter has been in office:

• The U.S. budget deficit has ballooned to $477 billion, inspiring Senator John McCain to remark recently that "Congress is spending money like a drunken sailor".

 

• The U.S. trade deficit has risen to record levels, including $541.8 billion in 2003- a trend that is continuing through the early months of this year.

 

• The U.S. public debt has swelled to a record $7.13 trillion, which represents $24,285 for every man, woman, and child in the U.S.

 

Fuel

Whether in the form of filling your car�s tank or the cost of milk in our grocery stores, the recent escalation in oil prices has affected all Americans, and has a wide impact on all aspects of life. If elected, I would strive to seek congressional hearings to determine if there is a collaboration among oil companies to artificially increase the price of oil, especially in the wake of the corporate corruption scandals of the last few years. I believe it is both necessary and prudent for Congress to look into these matters, including determining if the current state of affairs necessitates bringing additional oil refineries into production or if increasing the supply of crude oil is the only remedy to control energy costs.

Jobs

Outsourcing of jobs has become a focus of concern for many workers in the U.S., as well as here in Idaho. The J. R. Simplot Corporation has closed potato production facilities in the state, subsequently investing in new facilities outside of the U.S. In years past, the federal government would have re-trained the laid off workers from these facilities for white collar jobs and new careers in industries such as information technology. Now even these jobs are being outsourced to places such as India and China.

Industry often promises that savings from these types of moves will be reinvested in new technologies and facilities in the U.S, but there is no incentive to invest in the U.S. economy when greater profits can be achieved by taking money overseas where new factories can take advantage of cheaper labor. Everyone agrees that a healthy stock market will lead to a healthy economy, but congressional and business leadership alike must weigh the value of increasing stock prices with the increasing costs on the American family. If elected, I will work towards a trade policy that is both free and fair for all Idahoans.

Idaho deserves a Congressman that is willing to protect the interests of its people rather than multinational corporations and large corporate donors. Help reclaim a representative government that truly represents the interests of Idaho- Vote Jim Pratt for Congress.