I was surprised to learn from the Friends Committee on National Legislation that 37 cents of every dollar we pay in federal income taxes go to pay for current and past wars. At the same time, education, diplomacy, and help to the nearly 100 million people living in poverty in this country get only pennies on every dollar.

U.S. Reps. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.; District 5) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.; District 9) were featured guests at a panel discussion Tuesday where they conversed on a host of national policies including the federal budget, immigration and fostering trade issues affecting the U.S. and Arizona.

U.S. Reps. Matt Salmon, District 5, and Kyrsten Sinema, District 9, will discuss issues facing the East Valley during a public event next month.

U.S. Reps. Matt Salmon, District 5, and Kyrsten Sinema, District 9, will discuss issues facing the East Valley during a public event next month.

“Our conservative state Legislature is moving forward on over 500 proposed laws this session. Nice to see so called ‘small government’ Republicans show that they are incapable of sticking to their supposed values.”

“Ben Arredondo violated the public trust to enhance his personal wealth and image in excess of the legal and moral limits. There are few lower than him in society, maybe only child molesters. Now his buddies, Democrats, act like he is a persecuted choir boy.”

People have always speculated about what might or might not happen in 2012, but this past year turned out to be one full of waiting.

It’s that time of year to hand out some honors for the year’s best. So it is without further ado that I bring you the Third Annual Hammer Awards.

Gov. Jan Brewer took $250,000 for her political action committee from a Las Vegas hotel owner and billionaire a day after she would have had to report it in time for voters last month to know about it.

WASHINGTON – Weighty decisions abounded on Capitol Hill last week, but the decisions for Arizona’s three incoming congressmen came down to picking official stationery and the drapes that will hang in their new offices.

Thanks to the Independent Redistricting Commission, we might see something done in Congress this year.

Thanks to the Independent Redistricting Commission, we might see something done in Congress this year.

Arizona has conducted its first general election using new congressional and legislative district maps, resulting in several excruciatingly tight congressional races as well as a handful of legislative contests that went undecided for more than a week after Election Day.

Folks, to be honest, I didn’t give a rat’s patootie about the presidential election. In my book, it was a choice between “tweedle-dumb and tweedle-dumber.” On one hand we have a Socialist Wanna-Be, Barack Hussein Obama, and on the other hand a super-wealthy, out-of- touch, silver-spoon guy who took every draft deferment in the book to get out of serving his country. I could care less if it was legally legal or not. In my book, having someone carry “your” gun in time of war is morally wrong.

Former Democratic state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been elected to represent a new Phoenix-area congressional district, emerging victorious after a bitterly fought race that featured millions of dollars in attack ads.

The battle between former state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and ex-Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker for Arizona's 9th Congressional District continues to rage on as local agencies work to tabulate early and provisional ballots.

The District 9 Congressional race could be one of the closest races in Arizona and both candidates admit Independent voters will decide the winner.

5…4…3…2... You get the idea.

Gov. Jan Brewer delivered a nearly $100,000 infusion Wednesday into the campaign of Republican Jeff Flake to become the state's next U.S. senator.