September 20, 2009

Who is Kristen Gillibrand?

While running for Congress, Kristen Gillibrand promised to be a new kind of representative. She vowed to bring transparency and open government. Upon her election, she delivered on many of her promises. Her values were consistent with middle class New Yorkers and those of the 20th district. As a member of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, she endorsed their support of the "mainstream values of the American public" and fiscal common sense. Then came her appointment to Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat earlier this year. Upon her selection and appointment by Governor Patterson, she made the rounds with every special interest group except the very group that she proclaimed to represent, the People of New York. She then made it clear her principles were what ever they had to be to get the appointment. One after the other, she made a 180 degree turn on every major issue.

When elected, she supported the 2nd amendment and received a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). Yet during her first vote as a member of the Senate, she voted against an amendment that would have restored gun rights to residents of the nation's capitol. The amendment which passed 62-36 would have blocked the District of Columbia from prohibiting the legal possession of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. This past June, The Supreme Court struck down the District's ban on handguns as unconstitutional.

She opposed amnesty for illegal aliens and demanded border enforcement including a border fence. As New York's Senator, she has changed course and has come out in favor of granting "an earned pathway to citizenship" for the estimated 12-20 million illegal aliens. She has also endorsed the "Dream Act" that would grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who have been in the United States for five years, are under age 35 and who entered the country before age 16. The bill would also provide in-state tuition rates to those who are here illegally. She now opposes deportation and will not vote to punish "sanctuary" cities or those cities that refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies regarding immigration.

She opposed many elements of the radical homosexual agenda such as homosexual marriage and repealing the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding open homosexuality. After her appointment, she was endorsed by the homosexual advocacy group, Empire Pride Agenda. She has since changed her position on both of these issues and now even supports the repeal of "The Defense of Marriage Act".

She voted against the TARP bailout bill twice, yet as Senator voted for the President Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill. She also voted against an amendment to remove a provision of the stimulus bill which prohibited religious activity at institutions of higher learning that accepted funding under the bill. Fortunately, the provision was removed during the reconciliation process between the House and Senate. Senator Gillibrand has now endorsed the public option of the healthcare bill advancing in congress.

During her two terms in the House, Kristen Gillibrand she ran with the endorsement of the Working Families party. One of the founding members and Co-Chair is none other then Bertha Lewis who serves as the CEO of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Acorn which is under investigation in several states for allegations of voter fraud was the recipient of millions of dollars in federal aid. While many Democrats in New York often run with the Working Families endorsement, the recent scandal at several Acorn offices around the country involving illegal activity and prostitution led many to run for political cover. Both the House and Senate voted to cut off federal funding and two federal agencies, the Census Bureau and Internal Revenue Service severed ties with Acorn. Yet Senator Gillibrand was one of only seven Senators to vote NO.   

On January 23rd during a press conference on the day of her appointment, Kristen Gillibrand made the following statement, "I realize that for many New Yorkers, this is the first time you've heard my name, and you don't know much about me. Over these next two years you will get to know me, but more importantly, I will get to know you." Its not what they say, its not what they promise and its not their intention, ITS HOW THEY VOTE. When one sells their principles for a Senate appointment, what does it say about the person? Principles matter. Now we know the real Kristen Gillibrand.