Rep. Mike Pompeo Seeks Signatures, GA Benefit Anecdotes

President Obama at some point made a tactical decision to paint general aviation as a frivolous pursuit of one-percenters. Kansas Fourth-District Republican Representative Mike Pompeo is seeking re-election, and has decided that a petition to the White House seeking a stop to the rhetorical trashing of the industry is a worthwhile campaign pursuit.

The Wichita aerospace community learned in the last few days that Boeing will be pulling over 2,100 jobs out of the market, news which was only partly offset by the announcement of 450 new jobs coming in from Bombardier. On Wednesday, Pompeo (pictured) chose a Stearman as a backdrop for a speech denouncing the Obama administration's attacks, and urging Kansans to add their names to the online petition.

Pompeo has created a website, www.americaflies.us, specifically for the petition drive. The message to President Obama reads:

"Dear Mr. President,

"According to AOPA, general aviation accounts for more than 1% of the U.S. GDP with more than 1.3 million jobs. And yet, you have made it clear that you not only disregard the importance of this vital American industry, you have fought to damage it. Whether through airport fees, aircraft depreciation policies or by repeatedly using the aviation industry as a tool to create class warfare for your political gain -- you are hurting American jobs and families.

"The purpose of this petition is to remind you that countless American lives are touched by aviation, and to share with you the stories of those families and communities you are hurting. We are not just hard-working Americans, we are voting Americans. And we want you to see how your words and actions have negatively altered the lives of American workers.

"Therefore we, the undersigned fathers, mothers, parents, children, job creators, machinists, pilots, air traffic controllers, entrepreneurs, veterans, and Americans of all races, creeds and ideology, ask you to reverse your current course and immediately take steps to undo the damage your administration has done. It is not too late. You can still embrace the general aviation industry, an industry that provides American jobs and grows the American economy. Isn't that what you want, too, Mr. President?"

In addition to the petition drive, Pompeo is asking anyone who has benefitted from general aviation to share stories. He says, in part, "Primarily, I need your help to collect the stories. We all know they are out there. We know of the small plane that helped a member of the military get home to see the birth of a child. We know we have helped transport a life-saving organ, and we know the men and women working hard on the line have been able to create better lives for their families through the job opportunities created by the industry. But I want specifics."

Find the website, with links to participate in the online petition and contribute stories, below.

FMI: www.americaflies.us