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.