The Nels I Know: Republican Scott McKain discusses why he’s supporting Nels

Scott McKain is a lifelong Hoosier Republican who has known Nels for over 30 years, beginning with their involvement in the Indiana Future Farmers of America. Scott is also a very successful author and businessman here in Indiana, who has been active in Republican politics. But this year, he’s supporting Nels Ackerson for Congress and we’re glad to have his help!

Says Scott, “I know both the candidates in this race, and I’m choosing to support Nels, because Nels not only has the vision for what our country should be, he has the character to get it there!” To watch the full video,click below!

Watch the full video below!

Nels at the HobNob

Last Thursday Nels took part in the Indianapolis HobNob.  The event allows people to meet local candidates and kicks off the election season.

Debate coverage online

Watch the debate between Nels Ackerson and Steve Buyer on the Journal and Courier’s website or listen to an audio recording here thanks to WBAA.

Our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor

This July 4th marks the 232nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an unprecedented document that heralded a bold new vision for a young country. But more than just the foundation for this nation, its ideas inspired the world.

Today, as we celebrate the freedoms conceived long ago and safeguarded for two hundred years, we would do well to remember the last clause of that declaration. Determined to succeed against overwhelming odds, our founders dedicated all that they had to this new nation, declaring, “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Our founders understood that leadership is not simply sending an army to war. It is committing a nation to war. The same principle holds true today. Our men and women in uniform are again at war. They have sacrificed willingly and they serve nobly. But our government has declined to engage the nation. In efforts to avoid acknowledging the costs of war, our government has even refused to honor commitments to our veterans when they return.

Too many elected representatives followed meekly or looked the other way as our government denied the need to match the needs of veterans with adequate provisions. Steve Buyer, the incumbent congressman from this district, served as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee and is now its ranking member. He has been in one of the best positions in Congress to stand up for our veterans. But instead, he aggressively led the effort to cut veterans benefits, even proposing an unprecedented tax on veterans to pay for access to their Veterans Administration healthcare.

That is not all. In a false hope that the war would be won at little cost, our government failed to provide adequate body armor and IED-armored vehicles until thousands of troops were unnecessarily wounded and hundreds were killed. Ill-considered budget cuts and lack of congressional oversight led to the 2006 Walter Reed scandal. Just last month, a new low was reached with the revelation of Veterans Administration testing of experimental drugs on veterans without informed consent or the mention of life-threatening side effects.

Almost seven years and more than 4,000 lives and trillions of dollars into this war, let us on this 4th of July, determine to right some of the wrongs that have been done. We cannot un-ring the bell that led us to where we are in Iraq and Afghanistan. But we dare not stay the course of dishonoring our commitments to our veterans.

We in this generation should be committed to match our founders’ pledge. We should commit of our fortunes and our sacred honor to fulfill our sacred contract with those who have already committed their lives in our service.

What we’re fighting for

Friends,

I want to share with you an incredible example of the sacrifices that hard-working Hoosiers are making to send the message that the people of this district are ready for real leadership and genuine representation in Washington.

Today, I received in the mail a check in the full amount of the “economic stimulus” payment that a Hoosier from Lawrence County received from the federal government. The generous contributor sent this handwritten note:

“Pres. Bush said to use this $600.00 to help stimulate his failed economy. There’s no better way to do that than to give it to you – so you can go to Washington and stimulate the economy for a long time!”

I can’t even begin to express my gratitude that in this tough economy, someone would send his entire stimulus check to help get me elected to Congress.

That level of sacrifice is inspiring – and it makes me realize how much Hoosiers are clamoring for change and for real representation. The people want real economic recovery, not just a one-time check from Washington in an election year.

After 16 years in Washington, Steve Buyer has lost touch. He’s not created solutions. He’s not led others, but instead has blamed his opponents for the nation’s problems. That’s not leadership, and it’s not brought us results.

During those same 16 years, I’ve represented real people. I’ve listened to them. I’ve created solutions. I’ve stood up for the rule of law and for the “little guy” against abuses of power by big government and by big corporations.

I’ve had a career of standing for principle, bringing people together, and getting results. That’s the same representation that I want to give you in Congress.

I believe that if we all work together, regardless of party affiliation, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

I’m ready. I know you’re ready. Let’s make it happen.

Yours for a new Congress,
Nels

P.S. It’s going to take a lot of financial support to make sure our message of change is heard. If you can afford to make a contribution, any amount would be appreciated. You can donate on our website, www.nels4congress.com, or by mailing a contribution to Nels Ackerson for Congress, 49 Boone Village #266, Zionsville, IN 46077.