Rep. Virginia Foxx says she believes God will judge people for sins of omission as well as commission, so the Banner Elk Republican had a message she couldn't keep to herself.
"You should fear for your country," Foxx told a gathering of members of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
The Democratic majority in Congress has become "bolder and bolder" with tax dollars and the rules of the House, she told the business leaders at their annual Washington meeting.
"I am trying to scare you to death," she said.
After she left the room, a member of the Chamber joked about leading the group out to jump off a balcony.
Asked about her remarks later, Foxx said she was quite serious.
"I think what the Democrats are doing in terms of raising taxes and adopting the budget they are adopting should scare people in this country," said Foxx, whose district includes part of Iredell County. "We are going down the wrong road. We are spending money we don't have. We are raising taxes on hard-working Americans, and I'm very concerned about the direction they are taking this country."
She also defended comments she made to a local radio program, 3WC radio's "Focus on the Foothills," about Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois. Foxx said the presidential candidates "basically are socialists, he more than she."
"I believe they are socialists, and if you look at their platforms you will see their plan is to take money from part of the population and give it to other people in the population," she said later, referring to their universal health care plans.
"I don't know the dictionary definition of socialism, but most people would see that as socialism."
Her Democratic campaign challenger, Roy Carter of Ashe County, issued a press release saying her radio remarks were disrespectful and out of line.
"Both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama have dedicated their lives to the noble calling of public service and they deserve nothing less than respect," he said.
Foxx said she can't help the spin other people put on her comments.
"I don't consider it inflammatory, I consider it factual," Foxx said.
DeMint bemoans earmark spending
Foxx wasn't the only lawmaker who had bad news for the Charlotte business leaders, who were in town in part to push for funding for local projects.Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., told the group that even the smallest budget requests can lead to massive government overspending, in part because lawmakers are forced to cut deals with one another.
"If you want funding for this bridge, you have to vote for the `Bridge to Nowhere,' " he said.
DeMint was tied up last week with his effort to get a one-year moratorium on earmarks, which ultimately failed Thursday with a vote of 71-29.
He had the support of the Carolinas' other three senators with his effort.
"Tonight, too many in Congress embraced the earmark favor factory and proved why we have the lowest approval rating in history," DeMint said.
Kissell gets sign he'll have help in run
National Democrats gave their greatest indication yet that Biscoe teacher Larry Kissell won't be left to fend for himself in his rematch against Rep. Robin Hayes, a Concord Republican.
Kissell, who got virtually no support from Washington and came within 330 votes of knocking off Hayes in 2006, will get "structural and financial" help as part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "red to blue" program.
In the last cycle, that translated into $400,000 in assistance for the eligible candidates.
Ex-Myrick foe questions her ad deals
In our latest chapter about how Congress can be a "family affair," a former challenger to Rep. Sue Myrick points out that the Charlotte Republican's campaign has been using a family business for its advertising for years.The business, Myrick/Gunter Advertising, used to be owned and operated by Myrick and her husband Ed. They sold it to Ed's daughter, Mia, several years ago.
The business does radio and TV placements for Myrick's ads. Its commission is 7.5 percent of the cost of the ads.
Take the approximately $110,000 she spent on ads placed in area outlets like WBTV and WBT radio in late 2006. The agency would get about $8,250 from that.
The Observer wrote about the relationship between the business and the campaign in 1996, when Myrick still owned the agency. Her office said the agency had handled all of her campaigns since 1981.
"They place our TV, radio, billboards and occasional print media buys," said Myrick campaign spokesman Hal Weatherman. "They know our style, timelines, goals and objectives, and obviously we trust them."
Jack Flynn of Charlotte, who ran against Myrick in 2004, questioned the need for heavy advertising when she typically trounces her opponents with up to 70 percent margins.
While it's illegal for a lawmaker to employ a close family member in a congressional office, there's no rule against it in a campaign
Shuler crosses party line on surveillance
The House passed a bill Friday that would set rules on foreign surveillance without giving immunity to telecommunications companies. The N.C. delegation split mostly along party lines, with all Democrats except Rep. Heath Shuler of Waynesville supporting the bill, and all the Republicans voting against it.
The House also passed a resolution Tuesday that would create a House office of congressional ethics. The 229-182 vote included the support of GOP Reps. Robin Hayes of Concord and Walter Jones of Farmville, and all of the N.C. Democrats except Shuler, who joined the delegation's other Republicans in voting against it.
The Senate passed the budget resolution with a 51-44 early Friday, with all four Carolina senators opposing it.
The House adopted its version of the budget resolution 212-207, with Shuler joining the Republicans in opposing it. Lisa
Zagaroli
