Dump Mike Ferguson (NJ7)

Like hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans, Congressman Mike Ferguson participated in an event commemorating the horrible attacks of 9-11. It was a time of togetherness and rememberance of a terrible day.

There's one difference between how Ferguson commemorated the event and how the rest of us did it, though. Mike sent out an e-mail newsletter to supporters with a full color picture of him at the event and used it as a fundraiser for his Congressional campaign.

Here's a screenshot of the e-mail, where you can clearly see the buttons looking for volunteers and campaign cash directly to the left of the article on the 9-11 ceremony.

Wrong choices, wrong Congressman.

Continue reading "Mike Ferguson Exploits 9/11 For Campaign Cash" »

Posted by admin at 06:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This letter, which notes that Congressman Mike Ferguson's staff is once again unwilling to answer a simple question about his stance on the issues, was published in the Courier News on March 10, 2006:

Ferguson should explain war stance

I was born in 1941 into a Polish immigrant community in Linden. Perhaps my earliest childhood memory is of riding past the town theater and seeing their repulsive billboards advertising the movies on tap. The billboards featured macabre images -- large ones -- of Japanese soldiers. I had never seen an Asian person and didn't ask my parents what these representations were all about. I know now this was a predictable outcome of government propaganda calculated to manipulate a malleable public to support the country's involvement in the Second World War.

My grandparents, parents and their siblings -- and indeed myself -- spent endless hours, for years after the war, preparing and sending parcels of food, medicines and clothing to our relatives abroad in an attempt, not always successful, to keep them alive. Then there were the frequent letters from Poland, detailing the aftermath of the war in Europe.

These pathetic epistles were read aloud and discussed in family gatherings. They occasionally contained a photo of the writer's family. No picture I have ever seen of the least fortunate Americans comes close to the wretchedness of our people in the "old country." I had uncles serving in the conflict, which greatly heightened the stress our family suffered. That was as close as I ever came to war, but it was close enough to make an impression that has not faded with the passage of time.

Our species has a history sometimes glorious, but in most respects abominable in the extreme. The sickening side of human nature isn't unveiled to young children when they are taught history. It needs to be.

America is inflicting on the Iraqi population (and itself willy-nilly) the same hell Germany inflicted on the rest of Europe and the world beyond, not once but twice in the last century.

At times, I hear someone say George W. Bush "doesn't know what war is." That one sure rings true. People such as our pampered president and young congressman Mike Ferguson have lived lives thoroughly removed from such realities. They are clueless and, consequently, far too cavalier.

As the November elections approach, I look forward to knowing Mr. Ferguson's current position on the Iraq invasion (and why a constituent cannot get this information when he calls Mr. Ferguson's office in Washington). I also am curious about whether Ferguson is planning to support a discussion on the House floor addressing how America should now deal with the mess in Iraq he and his party have created. I refer to House Resolution 543.

FERDINAND GAJEWSKI
Westfield

Posted by admin at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike Ferguson did a very good thing in calling for an expansion of health care coverage for Reservists. This blog, called Dump Mike, is obviously not inclined to give kudos to a congressman it wants to replace with someone else. However, this is a very important issue for which politics doesn't matter. Reservists deserve full health care for the sacrifice they make for our country. My town, which I am honored to serve as Council President for, provides full salary and benefits for any borough employees who are called to active duty from the Reserves. Not all Reservists are so lucky to have an employer like that, and this would be an excellent change that would benefit the military, the Reservists and the country.

Posted by admin at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just like we did last week, it looks like the Courier News noticed that Mike Ferguson was absent from the effort to save Fort Monmouth, as well:

David Rebovich, director of the Rider Institute for New Jersey Politics, predicted that Forrester will try to say Democrats have not been aggressive advocates of the state's needs in Washington and will argue that Corzine has little clout in the nation's capital.

"What the Republicans want to do is suggest that a GOP governor would have better access to the congressional leadership and the White House, and I do think Forrester will try and make some hay in that regard," Rebovich said.

But Rebovich said Republicans pushing Forrester's candidacy have to answer why the state's six GOP congressmen, some with considerable seniority, were not successful in saving Fort Monmouth from the Base Realignment and Closure panel. Three of the GOP congressmen -- Rodney Frelinghuysen, Jim Saxton and Chris Smith -- fought hard for the post.

No Ferguson in that list. Rep. Smith serves Monmouth County, but both Reps. Saxton and Frelinghuysen were working for the good of New Jersey. Rep. Relinghuysen has a district much farther north and farther away from Monmouth than Ferguson.

Where was Mike?

Posted by admin at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This letter was published in the Courier News on July 2, 2005.

Ferguson set for vote gymnastics - Letter to the Editor in the Courier News

Now that Boss Delay has given the OK to provide a much-needed additional $1 billion for veterans' health care, I'm sure Congressman Ferguson is getting ready to jump through this hoop.

Will Ferguson describe his flip-flop by telling us he voted against it before he voted for it?

RON GILCH
Martinsville

See more information on Mike Ferguson's votes on veterans issues.

Posted by admin at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This letter was published in the Cranford Chronicle on June 23, 2005:

On June 16, the US House of Representatives approved an amendment, by a vote of 238 to 187, which would eliminate funding for Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Section 215 allows federal searches, without your knowledge, of your library and book store records. Rep. Mike Ferguson, along with Rep. Tom DeLay, voted no on the amendment. Ferguson and DeLay apparently have little regard for the privacy of ordinary American citizens, and they represent the minority position on this issue. On May 26, Ferguson voted against an amendment to add $53 million to veterans' medical care. The amendment failed by one vote. Is Ferguson properly serving the citizens of the 7th District, or is he merely the loyal lapdog of his Republican masters, George W. Bush and Tom DeLay? For more unflattering facts about the real Mike Ferguson, visit www.dumpmike.com. John Cantilli
Cranford NJ

Thanks for the plug, John!

Posted by admin at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once again Congressman Mike Ferguson is promoting some of his votes but not all of them to build his image. This time, and it is particularly appropriate to talk about this on Memorial Day, Rep. Ferguson is putting out part but not all of the story on his votes for veterans.

Earlier this month, Rep. Ferguson was voted "Outstanding Legislator of the Year" by the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars. He immediately put out a press release to push the message that he is there for veterans.

On Thursday, May 26 Rep. Ferguson put out a press release entitled, "FERGUSON VOTES TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR VETERANS’ MEDICAL CARE." Michael Ferguson was one of 425 members of Congress who voted for this bill against only one objection, making this a case of reporting that a dog bit a man: there is simply no news there.

What Rep. Ferguson didn't put in his release is that on the same day he voted against an amendment that would have added $53,000,000 more to veterans' care. While with one hand he was sending out a release about his voting record on funding veterans' programs, his other hand was reducing the increase by $53 million.

The same amendment would have cut the funding for closing bases – base closings that will cost the tri-state region more than 15,000 jobs and close NJ's Fort Monmouth – and the savings would have funded the increased spending for veterans.

Even worse, the amendment failed by just one vote. Had Rep. Ferguson voted with the veterans instead of against them the amendment would have passed and there would be a lot more money in the pipeline to help our sick and injured veterans.

But he doesn't talk about that in his release, because he doesn't want you to know that he could have voted yes for veterans and chose not to.

Republican Chris Smith voted for the amendment. Democrats Rob Andrews, Steve Rothman, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne and Rush Holt voted for the amendment.

Mike Ferguson voted against it. Write or call Mike Ferguson today and ask him why he voted against increasing veterans funding by $53 million, and why he didn't put that vote in his press release.

Or write a letter to the editor to your local paper talking about Rep. Ferguson's votes against funding for veterans.

Call his office at (908) 757-7835 or write to him from his Congressional Website.

When you are done, leave the answer in the comments for or write to dumpmike@gmail.com.

Posted by admin at 06:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)