Harry Parker, A Humble Farmer from Missouri

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

House Budget Committee approves Reagan budget proposal
April 22, 1981

This morning, the House Budget Committee has voted to approve President Ronald Reagan's budget proposal by 12-1.

The budget lowers income, capital gains and corporate taxes by $2 billion, while increasing military spending by $8 billion and making no cuts to farm subsidies and welfare programs – although an amendment to transfer $1 billion from them to small businesses and private charities narrowly failed to pass.

Vice President Harry Parker has thanked the committee for passing this budget: "This [budget] proposal is perfect, as it reduces the burden on all American taxpayers while keeping programs millions of Americans rely on intact"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker criticizes crackdown on deadbeats
April 23, 1981

As President Reagan orders US$25 billion be collected from individuals who owe the government and have yet to pay via an executive order issuing the involvement of each department in constructing a plan to obtains the funds and holding a person accountable for the program, Harry Parker criticized the decision, saying that would be "too complicated" and that the debt must be pardoned instead.

During a meeting with reporters on the Naval Observatory, Parker made the controversial comments.

"This decision was wrong. It would be too complicated to get dozens of cabinet secretaries to get so much money. Furthermore, most of the people involved might forget they owe the government. It would be better to pardon then, as everybody can agree it's an issue"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

House of Representatives passes 1981 budget
April 24, 1981

Today, the House of Representatives has passed the Reagan Administration's second budget proposal, which increases military spending and lowers taxes without cutting farm subsidies or welfare programs.

The budget was passed with 298 Aye, 134 Nay and three abstain votes.

Moderates, some centre-left liberals and center-right conservatives on both parties supported the budget as an "ideal" compromise.

Most of the opposition came from arch-conservative Republicans who wished cuts to government aid, and liberals who opposed tax cuts.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Senate Budget Committee passes 1981 budget
April 26, 1981

Today, the Senate Budget Committee has passed the second budget proposal from the Reagan Administration by an 8-3 margin.

Written by a bipartisan group of nine senators and Vice President Harry Parker, the budget increases military spending and reduces taxes across the board, while keeping welfare programs and farm subsidies intact (however, an amendment transferring $1 billion from government aid to charities and small businesses was rejected by the House Budget Committee).

Vice President Harry Parker has commended the Committee on passing the budget, saying he couldn't wait for it to take effect.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

1981 Budget passes US Senate by unanimous consent
April 29, 1981

Today, the US Senate has passed the 1981 Federal Budget by unanimous consent after Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) successfully motioned for it, hearing no objections.

The budget has now been sent to the desk of President Ronald Reagan, who will most likely sign it due to its similarities to his original budget, which got rejected by the House Budget Committee.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Ronald Reagan signs 1981 Budget into law
April 28, 1981

This morning, President Ronald Reagan has signed the 1981 federal budget into law, during a ceremony together with First Lady Nancy Reagan, Vice President Harry Parker and Secretary of State George Bush.

The budget is marked by reductions in the income, capital gains and corporate taxes, increases in military spending and the number of school vouchers in circulation, and little changes in welfare programs – an original budget proposal that reduced funding for Medicaid and food stamps was rejected by the House Budget Committee.

The budget has became popular with moderates and the general public

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker visits Sinai Peninsula, calls for it to be "immediately" ceded to Egypt
May 3, 1981

As The State Department says the Reagan administration has decided it must take the lead and supply a large portion of troops in creating an international peace-keeping force within Sinai Peninsula between Israel and Egypt, Vice President Harry Parker has visited the area, and met local Israeli authorities. During the meeting, Parker called for Israel to "immediately" cede the peninsula to Egypt, which he said has owned the area since the time of the pharaohs.

"I strongly support the State of Israel against communists and the Arab dictatorships. But, this peninsula has been owned by Egypt since the time of the pharaohs, and must be immediately ceded to its rightful owner, which in the last two years has made several reforms, being absolutely in the right track" said Parker.

Vice President George Bush was asked to join Parker, but he refused

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker calls Reagan's opponents "misguided and wrong"
May 5, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has called opponents of the Reagan Administration's economic policies "misguided and wrong" while delivering a speech to the American Newspapers Publishers Association; he also urged Congress to support Reagan's agenda when it comes to the economy.

"The members of Congress who oppose our economic policies are well-intentioned – I completely respect those with different beliefs – but misguided, as the best economic strategy is one focused on private charity, entrepreneurship and low taxes; welfare programs must have a secondary role. The best social program is a job, and I urge the Senate and House of Representatives to support the Reagan Administration's economic policies"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker refutes concerns over social security
May 6, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has said retirees will continue to get their social security payments in full, as Secretary of the Treasury Regan says the administration is examining Social Security system changes during a breakfast session with reporters.

"Maybe means testing after a certain level of benefits, or different ways to fund social security. But retirees should not worry – they will continue to get their social security payments in full. Our Administration has no intention to cut or abolish Social Security" were Parker's words.

Harry Parker calls for a cut in food stamp list
May 6, 1981

Hours after the Senate Agriculture Committee agreed to a reduction of the maximum income level to receive food stamp rolls, Vice President Harry Parker has called for this measure to be implemented, saying it would make the program more "effective".

"I support welfare programs up to a point, but they should actually help people instead of having them rely on the government to survive – which is textbook communism. Lowering the maximum income level to receive SNAP assistance does just that. I agree with the Senate here"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker calls Gaddafi "nuts"
May 7, 1981

One day after the Reagan Administration ordered Libyan envoys out of Washington, Vice President Harry Parker, who influenced the decision, has praised the measure while calling Libya's leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, "nuts" when asked by reporters about the matter.

Parker also said the United States must continue to fund rebel groups in Libya.

"I played a role in kicking these Libyan troublemakers out of America's capital. And Libya's dictator, what's his name? Gaddafi. Is nuts, and hates freedom like every communist. America must continue to fund rebels who want to take Libya back from an insane Marxist" were Parker's words.

The remarks have received an extremely negative reception in Tripoli.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker praises the curbing of pension hikes
May 8, 1981

One hour after the US Senate approved a US$7.9 billion reduction in cost-of-living increases for the following year toward the 44 million Americans receiving government retirement benefits, Vice President Harry Parker has praised the decision during dinner with reporters, in the grounds of solidarity and fiscal responsibility.

When asked about the matter, Parker swallowed a piece of lasagna and said:

"I strongly agree with the Senate's decision. It's the closest thing to a balance between helping the truly needy, and causing people to behave responsibly while not increasing the national debt or causing inflation. The cost of living should be low, especially for the elderly, and the federal government must spend its money wisely" were Parker's words; he then returned to eating.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker on slashing benefits for early retirement: "That'd be awful for the elderly"
May 11, 1981

As President Ronald Reagan proposes phasing out the current limitations on earning of the retired by three years during a meeting with his Cabinet Council on Human Resources, Vice President Harry Parker has spoken out against the idea, saying it would be "awful" for aged Americans.

Parker gave a press conference in the Naval Observatory to voice his concern:

"Lowering Social Security benefits for 62 and 63 year olds? That would be awful for the elderly in America, especially when considering that people this age are already weak. I prefer means testing after a certain level of benefits" were Parker's words.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker on proposal to keep Social Security afloat, "We should be careful"
May 12, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has declared his support for a Reagan Administration proposal to stall the growth of benefits for future retirees, but has again opposed another to slash the benefits of those retiring at age 62; Parker said the federal government should be "careful" when handling such programs.

"Social Security benefits should be kept as they are. But I oppose cutting them for anyone, including 62 year olds. As I said yesterday, people that age are generally weak enough to justify a safety net, which I generally oppose. We need to be careful when handling programs millions of Americans rely on for survival"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker sends his "thoughts and prayers" to John Paul II; visits the Vatican
May 13, 1981

Hours after Pope John Paul II suffered an assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square on Vatican City, Vice President Harry Parker has sent the Pope his "thoughts and prayers" and visited the Vatican to meet him.

Shortly before departing to Rome, Parker said during a press conference:

"This visit will be a way to send my thoughts and prayers to the Pope. We don't know yet who tried to kill him and why, but I hope the assassin is held accountable and justice is done"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I want to skip to the 1984 election

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker praises Senate for "defending" retirees
May 20, 1981

Hours after the Senate voted unanimously to assure "Congress shall not precipitously and unfairly penalize early retires" in a vote of 96 to 0, Vice President Harry Parker, who disagrees with President Ronald Reagan on Social Security, praised the upper chamber of Congress for "defending" retired Americans.

Parker gave a speech in the Naval Observatory:

"While I would reluctantly work to implement President Reagan's plans in regards to our retirees, it's amazing how the Senate is defending them. I support some reforms to social security, but no slashing benefits for anyone."

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I am skipping to the 1984 Republican National Convention

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Republican National Convention opens in Dallas; Reagan, Parker overwhelmingly nominated
August 20, 1984

Tonight, the 33rd Republican National Convention has begun in Dallas, Texas; immediately, President Ronald Reagan was renominated for a second term with 2,233 delegates, two of them abstained. Vice President Harry Parker was simultaneously renominated unanimously.

In the following two days, Parker, Representative Jack Kemp, Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole, and UN Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick are going to speak at the convention. Parker has already written a draft of the speech.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives major speech at Republican National Convention
August 21, 1984

During the second day of the Republican National Convention, Vice President Harry Parker has given a major speech about the successes of the Reagan Administration.

In the speech, Parker pointed out how the American economy had recovered from the 1970s stagflation and 1981 recession, while saying the Reagan Administration had fought for all Americans, no matter their gender, race or income, and defended America from foreign and domestic threats.

"Since 1981, our economy has quickly recovered, with millions of high-paying jobs being created and inflation being reduced to low levels. America's economic recovery is almost solely due to our economic policies, which focus on entrepreneurship and low taxes instead of government handouts. Furthermore, our Administration has defended the United States from the foreign threat of communism and domestic threat of crime, which is slowly being reduced. In the next four years, our Administration will continue to fight for all Americans, no matter their gender, race or income – from the virtuous farmer to the wealthy suburbanite – while working to help our struggling farmers and lower our high crime rate. God bless America!"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker praises Secretary of State Bush's RNC speech
August 22, 1984

Hours after Secretary of State George Bush gave a speech at the Republican National Convention about the Reagan Administration's foreign policy, Vice President Harry Parker has praised the speech, and mentioned his "contribution" alongside Bush to America's safety.

When asked about the speech during lunch with reporters, Parker said: "It was an excellent speech. Bush and I have highly contributed to America's safety in the last three years, and I have nothing but good things to say about his record"

Parker had a tense relationship with Bush during the 1980 Republican primaries, but the two are now friends

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker goes in tour of the Northeast; begins with Pennsylvania
August 23, 1984

Vice President Harry Parker has been sent in a whistle-stop tour of the Northeastern states, many of which are wavering in current polls.

According to a campaign spokesman, Parker will begin in Pennsylvania and then go to New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts; according to a campaign spokesman, Vermont and New Jersey are not going to be visited, as they aren't expected to be competitive.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives speech in Pittsburgh about the economy
August 25, 1984

Vice President Harry Parker has given a major speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania about the economic recovery seen under Ronald Reagan's presidency, and how his policies contributed to it.

Throughout the speech, Parked kept talking about how Reagan's policies of tax cuts and deregulation contributed to the economic growth seen since 1982, and said overturning them would not solve economic inequality.

"Since 1982, America's economy has grown at a monumental pace, with inflation falling and millions of new jobs being created. I have worked with President Reagan to implement policies that would help all Americans, not just the poor or the wealthy: lower taxes across the board, less red tape for businesses, and a focus on entrepreneurship and private charity instead of handouts. These are the solution to poverty and income inequality, not tax-and-spend economics, which were good in the past but are clearly outdated. These policies will be continued in our second term"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives speech in Scranton, Pennsylvania attacking Walter Mondale
August 28, 1984

Vice President Harry Parker, who has embarked on a tour of the Northeast and met farmers in central Pennsylvania on the previous three days, has given a major speech in Scranton attacking Democratic nominee Walter Mondale for his plan to raise taxes and choice of a US Representative, Geraldine Ferraro of New York, as a running mate.

"With all due respect, Walter Mondale has awful promises and has been running a terrible, out-of-touch, limousine liberal campaign. He literally said "Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I" during the Democratic National Convention. Raise taxes on who? The wealthy, who worked hard to get where they are? The average Americans Democrats claim to represent? We cannot trust a person who said they would raise taxes, without any further clarification, to be our President. Furthermore, Mondale chose an US REPRESENTATIVE of all offices as a running mate; Why did he not choose a Senator or Governor as all presidential candidates do? His choice of Vice President is already hurting Mondale among voters. America must choose sanity this fall, and vote to reelect Ronald Reagan"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives a speech in Norristown about crime
August 31, 1986

Vice President Harry Parker, who is going in a whistle-stop tour of the Northeast to promote the candidacy for reelection of President Ronald Reagan, has given a long speech in Norristown, Pennsylvania about the Reagan Administration's crime policies, attributing a reduction in drug use and violent murders to them, and making promises for their second term.

"Our Administration's policy to reduce crime has been tough, but rational. On one hand, we strictly applied the death penalty and imposed heavy sentences for drug dealing. On another, as chief of the Taskforce on the War on Drugs, I have worked with the President to focus on curtailing drug smuggling, growing and dealing, as shown by the destruction of cocaine labs and burning of marijuana fields – drug possession has only been a secondary target. During our second term, there might be grants for city police departments to make them more effective, and stricter penalties for white-collar criminals. But I don't know – I have to check with Reagan on the issue"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives a speech in Brookfield Park about foreign policy
September 2, 1984

Vice President Harry Parker, who is holding a whistle-stop tour of the Northeast to promote Ronald Reagan's candidacy for reelection, has given a major speech in Brookfield Park, Staten Island about the Reagan Administration's foreign policy, focusing on their support for the Afghan Mujahideen, and the Strategic Defense Initiative, which Parker said will be the "centerpiece" of America's defense against the Soviet Union for years to come.

"In these three years, our Administration has moved from a foreign policy based in "human rights" to one based around American business and foreign policy interests; namely funding, to varying degrees, any and all anti-communist movements and groups, such as the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, UNITA in Angola, and the Solidarity union in Poland. Furthermore, we are focusing and will continue to bet on the Strategic Defense Initiative; when finished, the system will be the centerpiece of America's defense against the Soviet Union for many years to come. American interests, not these of foreigners, will continue to guide our foreign policy over the next four years"

Liberals have criticized Parker's speech as overly hawkish, and pointed how the Contras were ignored in spite of the Reagan administration covert efforts to support them.