Candidate for US Senate, Congressman Bill McCollum, an incredibly knowledgeable Congressman was the guest speaker at the Central Pinellas Republican Club monthly meeting attended by RCGS  members Neil Brickfield, Candidate for Pinellas County Commissioner and Jody Armstrong, Town Commissioner of Redington Shores and representing Mayor JJ Beyrouti candidate for Pinellas County Commissioner.

Senate Candidate, McCollum provided insights, facts and workable blueprints for this great nation to follow on into the 21^st century. His comments embraced, security, prescription drugs, health care and medical liability reforms. Additionally, he added remarks to be carried about and restated during his upcoming campaign tour.  Contrary to the opposing party’s rhetoric that the immediate lack of finding of large stashes of WMD suggests that our President mislead the American people, is a comment totally off the wall. He will note that the issue of entering Iraq was not just about removal of WMD stashes which may still come, but rather about freedom for millions of subjugated Iraqis, about removal of a brutal mass murderer and his minority band of bathe party dictators, about long term peace in the middle east, about dismantling the means of producing biological and chemical weapons   and about sending the world a message that the United States, under our courageous leader George W. Bush, says what it means and means what it says. Any doubts on that score? Just revisit recent events in Lybia, North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.  To those countries and Saddam who believed that the Germans, French and Russians would deter our objectives, think again.  Our President stayed the course and all the productive outcomes are the direct results of a true leader. We all know appeasement has never worked, not with Hitler, not with Stalin and certainly not with Hussein.

 Congressman McCollum noted the nations economic indicators; the best numbers in many quarters, clearly demonstrate an Administration’s policies that are both effective and working.   

But the primary issues of concern, as the congressman stressed, were prescription drug acquisition restrictions imposed on  low income and other citizens, health care items related to liberal judge rulings and liability reforms currently containing no caps on awards.  Points well made by Bill McCollum included free access to FDA approved prescription medication no matter where it is sold and at what ever lower price prevails, Judges elected who recognize that punitive damage awards are beyond the scope of reasonable justice given that an individual's real loss is already compensated along with additional compensation for pain and suffering and thus punishment damages (punitive)  in the millions are excessive and unnecessary and thus legislative caps on Punitive damages are not only appropriate but essential.  Why? Well, excessive damage awards drive medical mal practice insurance skyward and that drive members of the medical profession out of town and out of practice, just too expensive to continue.

So without reforms and caps who wins and who looses. Citizens lose, medical professionals lose and the winners are? Yes, you guessed it, who are the biggest opponents of award caps?

Discussion about the Congressman's message and the Newsletter  "Lighthouse" continued after the meeting between Brickfield, Candidate for Pinellas County Commissioner and McCollum Candidate for US Senates.

Many notables in attendance included School Board Member and Board Representative, Nancy Bostick.

Senator Dennis Jones's assistant and  representative (L) seated with Chamber of Commerce Member and Chamber Representative (R) enjoy lunch and conversation.

Representatives for Diane Nelson

and Ken Burke's Representative.

The new director of development representing the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee.

Always the perfect and pleasant host welcoming and greeting everyone with decorum and dignity was Barbara Stephens, the club’s President surrounded by her very capable staff and members.

Surprise visitor was Erwin Beck, President TOWRC and Geraldine Beck, Treasurer who announced that Top of the World Republican Club would host as guest speaker Clearwater Mayor, Bryan Aungst Sr. on Tuesday April 20 7 PM, location East Activity Center, Sunset Point Road. All are welcome. 

All in all a great meeting for the Central Pinellas Republican Club commencing with the Pledge of Allegiance and ending with the singing of God Bless America.

Congressman McCollum greets many club members prior to his discourse from the podium.