Anti-Positivist: Republican Hypocrisy

Anti-Positivist: Republican Hypocrisy

From the Anti-Positivist:

U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) is now claiming to be a fiscal conservative. Funny, he continually votes for more government spending. In fact, he even uses his constituent email (latest one below) to congratulate himself on his contributions to bigger government and greater spending. Pure hypocrisy.

TIBERI MARKS TAX FREEDOM DAY, SUPPORTS MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS
Day Marks When Average American Works Off Their Tax Obligation

U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) today recognized Tax Freedom Day, the day the average American pays off their tax obligation and begins to actually spend their salary rather than send it to the government.

“This year’s tax obligation represents a little more than 30 percent of our annual income. That’s actually a little less than last year, because of the Economic Stimulus Payment, many taxpayers will receive beginning next month,” said Congressman Tiberi, a member of the Ways and Means Committee that oversees tax policy. “It’s unconscionable to think that while Americans work more than a third of the year, just so they can pay taxes to the government, the Democrats are planning on imposing the largest tax hike in history, increasing tax bills by an average of two thousand dollars! I believe people know how to better spend their money than the federal government does, and I believe we should be returning more of it to taxpayers’ wallets.”

The Tax Foundation calculates Tax Freedom Day by dividing the government tally of taxes collected each year by the income earned each year. The Foundation then converts that percentage into days worked. For more information, go to The TaxFoundation.org.

Comment: Without much doubt Ohio republicans are in serious trouble. Most in fact do not have the virtues they espouse. Please join us and boycott the ORP. We say no donations until republican norms return to Ohio.

Unleash the RINO’s - The Enemy Within the GOP

Liberally Conservative: Unleash the RINO’s - The Enemy Within the GOP

From Liberally Conservative:

“Pat Toomey, President of ‘The Club for Growth‘ and former Republican congressman from Pennsylvania, has recently laid out the truth about ‘Liberal Republicans’ and some so-called ‘Conservative’ names are glaring.

“I am a member of ‘The Club for Growth’ and I’m sick and tired of the pundits claiming to be Conservative and the term ‘Neo-Conservative’ when most of these people are Liberals who have demonstrated their hypocrisy on a national level.

“These people in the media and government claim to be ‘Reagan Republicans’ and troopers against the war on Liberalism or as I call it, Socialism. The Club for Growth is based on real Conservative principles and its goals are simple.

“The GOP has lost seats from corruption but more importantly from acting like Liberals, and spending worse than the Democrats. Until they learn the lessons of being a minority party maybe the GOP will return to true Conservative principles and realize what President Reagan already knew.

“Getting rid of RINO’s would certainly be winning one for the Gipper and real Conservatives. Indeed!”

Read the whole article here:

Bold and italic fonts were used by this blogger.

Comment: For over fifteen years the Ohio Republican political template has been to appease voters no matter the expense nor ideology. Principally this has been through the expansion of government, wasteful spending, and entitlement programs. But now the rent is due and the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) has bankrupted Ohio. It has bankrupted the taxpayer, driven away businesses and our best workers to other states, expanded the size of our state government, caused Ohio to have one of the worst business climates in the US, raised taxes above most states in the country, and increased social entitlements to exponential proportions. Yet they want us to go along with this situation as if nothing has happened and everything is hunky dory.

Like our fellow conservative republican Liberally Conservative's advice, getting rid of the RINOs is the first step we need to take in Ohio to help the party, and first and foremost is getting rid of Bob Bennett. This man has single handedly killed the state party and cultivated the sorriest lot of politicians since the late 1960s and early 70s. If there is going to be any positive action to revitalize the ORP then it must begin with the removal of Bob Bennett, or else we are doomed to fail.

Ohio Republicans must understand one thing, we aren’t going to win many elections for the short term. For the last 10 years Ohio has moved decidedly to the left and turning that boat around is going to take longer than one decade. But what we can do now is to fight for free markets, limited government, and better leadership. We have to accentuate the republican norms and ideals espoused by Reagan, Kirk, and late great Senator Taft. But this is going to take metal and leadership, something Bob Bennett hasn't shown lately.

Rush is Right Yet Again

Weapons of Mass Discussion: Rush is Right Yet Again

Via WMD:

Today's Rush Limbaugh Pearl of Wisdom:

"The Republican Party does not have an attack machine. It doesn't even have a defense machine. The Republican Party is just sitting around twiddling its thumbs and hoping people continue to send it money. There is a conservative survival machine, and it exists entirely to tell the truth!"

That is absolutely correct.

So when I see the political machinations emanating from Columbus on Marc Dann, I know that if there is a strategy (and I have been assured that there is) chances are pretty good that the playbook is probably outdated. I know: I shouldn't be that rough on our friends from Columbus, but I'm looking for some sign of life up there and all I keep seeing is Speaker Husted embracing Governor Strickland...

To be perfectly honest, it's starting to feel a lot like the Blackwell-Raga campaign... I lost track of how many times I heard, "Oh...don't worry about that. We got a Plan!" Uh-huh...how's that working out for us now?

Rank and file Ohio Republicans need something to inspire them. It won't be John Sidney McCain. It sure isn't The Crying Man, our Senator RINOvich. The legislature is tripping over themselves to ingratiate themselves to a governor so bland that describing him as vanilla is an insult to vanilla. County parties have been a mess too...although, I suppose that out of 88 counties, more than a few are doing well enough. There just has to be something to unify us all...

I don't want to go all Newt Gingrich on y'all and predict doom and gloom while offering no solutions whatsoever, so I'll just go ahead and offer one: Let Kasich be Kasich...let's start the governor's race early. I am sure he isn't ready for that though... The Ohio GOP appears to be a ship without a rudder cast adrift in a very rough sea. We need direction that only an inspired leader can provide. Somebody needs to step up and deliver...and I'm sure so egotist will make the attempt...

[Banging my head against a wall...]

Comment: A ship without a rudder cast a drift is an understatement. No leadership, no direction, no republican ideals, and quite possibly, no chance of saving the state. While Mr. Kasich might increase interest in the party, without a leader who will develop a grassroots effort, winning at the polls will be daunting. And without any policy direction we’re back to the little boat being cast about the sea. You see leadership and direction are inseparable. It’s time Bob Bennett stepped down for the good of the party and the state. But until then, row, row your boat…

Are you really a Republican if you support tax funded universal health insurance?

Thurber’s Thoughts: Are you really a Republican if you support tax funded universal health insurance?

From Thurber’s Thoughts:

Last night, this resolution was passed unanimously at the Toledo City Council meeting:

RES. 256-08

Recognizing Cover The Uninsured Week 2008.

WHEREAS, Cover The Uninsured Week 2008 will be April 27- May 3, 2008; and

WHEREAS, 1.3 million Ohioans, including 43,700 adults and 6,200 children in Lucas County do not have health care coverage; and

WHEREAS, eight of 10 people who are uninsured are in working families and Ohio no longer offers medical assistance to low-income non-elderly adults without children at home, unless they are totally and severely disabled; and

WHEREAS, viable solutions to these problems are within our reach; and

WHEREAS, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid are successful programs that provide cost-effective coverage that saves both lives and taxpayer dollars through preventative care and early treatment; and

WHEREAS, insured children are twice as likely as uninsured children to get the medical care they need, when they need it; and

WHEREAS, as costs continue to rise, Ohio’s individuals, working families, and small businesses need help paying for coverage; and

WHEREAS, Ohio is poised to make historic progress in children’s health coverage through expansions passed in the FY2008-2009 budget; and

WHEREAS, Ohio’s leaders are on the verge of taking meaningful action to find common ground between providers, consumers, businesses, and insurers to create a sustainable plan that will assure affordable, accessible, high quality coverage to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans; NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:

SECTION 1. That Toledo City Council urges Governor Strickland and Ohio’s legislative and administrative leadership to take all necessary steps to reach affordable, accessible, and adequate health coverage for all Ohioans, and hereby declare April 27-May 3, 2008 as COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK in TOLEDO, OHIO.

SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.

Such a resolution isn't unusual in the liberal/Democrat-dominated Toledo City Council, but what is unusual is that this resolution passed with the support of the three Republicans.

I have no idea why Republicans would vote to urge state government to provide health insurance, considering that a core Republican principle is LESS government involvement in our daily lives, not to mention the idea of LESS taxation...

What's more puzzling is the lack of discussion about this 'whereas': "...the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid are successful programs that provide cost-effective coverage that saves both lives and taxpayer dollars..."

Taxpayers would save MORE if these programs didn't exist, but I guess that's beside the point.

And how anyone can claim that these bloated bureaucracies, which are about to go bankrupt, are 'successful programs' is just beyond my (apparently) limited understanding.

Perhaps our GOP representatives will say that they voted to name the week - a meaningless action in which all governmental bodies partake (and I've done so myself when a County Commissioner). But if they were just voting to name it "covered the uninsured week," they could have asked for the policy issues to be excluded from the resolution. That's what I've done.

As it stands now, George Sarantou, Betty Shultz, and Tom Waniewski are on the record as supporting state-provided (read taxpayer funded) universal health insurance coverage. It's no wonder many Republicans believe they have no representation on Toledo City Council.

Comment: It doesn’t matter if you’re in Toledo, Columbus, or Portsmouth; distinguishing Republicans from Democrats is hard to do. Not One Red Cent until republican norms return to Ohio.

Today in the mail I got a letter from the Ohio Republican Party

Keeler Political Report: Monday, May 05, 2008

From the Keeler Political Report:

Today in the mail I got a letter from the Ohio Republican Party. It said on the outside it was 2008 GOP Convention related, so I opened it up, figuring it could be related to how I was going to be a Mitt Romney delegate if he was the nominee.

Well, it was convention related. I was offered the "exclusive" chance to be an Honorary Delegate in Minneapolis - for $1,500 (hotel not included). According to the flyer, for that money you get:
-Guaranteed reservation for one room at Ohio's official delegation hotels
-Credential for admittance to all Ohio Delegation Events for the week of the Convention (not sure what this actually is, but it is for sure not the actual convention)
-Bus transportation to said events
-Exclusive, priority consideration for official Convention Session passes
-Invitation for you and a guest to a luncheon exclusively for major donors and sponsors to the Ohio Republican Party
-Listing in the official '08 Commemorative Delegation Program
-Commemorative '08 Delegation Credential

Seems like a real good deal.

I wonder how exclusive this opportunity really is.......is it for everyone on their mailing list, some people on the mailing list....? I'd be willing to bet quite a few people were actually offered this opportunity.

No thanks Bob Bennett.

Comments:

Large Bill said: Nope not all of us. I haven't given the Ohio Republican Party cash since they back liberal incumbents over conservatives in primaries.

Comment: It’s always the money with Bennett and crew…

Tobacco Settlement Was For Health-Related Expenses

Thurber’s Thoughts: UPDATED: Tobacco settlement was for health-related expenses

From Thurber’s Thoughts:

Well, I thought so!

Earlier I posted about the state's idea to take tobacco settlement money as part of the funding for a supposed 'economic stimulus' plan. And I questioned why we'd be taking money out of a fund that was supposed to pay for future medical-related expenses.

Today's Blade has an article about the tobacco companies making their yearly payment for the funds and it reiterates that these funds are for health-related expenses.

So if the state wins their lawsuit and raids these funds for a nebulous economic stimulus, where will they get the money to pay for all these health-related expenses that they sued over?

Inquiring minds....

Comment: More magnificent governance from the Republican led General Assembly!

Folks, is this the best we can get out Bob Bennett and his merry band at the ORP? We say no! Not One Red Cent until republican ideals return to Ohio.

Mocking Dann’s Substandard Behavior Won’t Fix the State

One Oar in the Water: Mocking Dann’s Substandard Behavior Won’t Fix the State

From One Oar in the Water:

"The right side blogoshpere in Ohio is hysterical about the “Marc Dann Affair,” and rightly so. This is the kind of stuff that fuels much of the blogging community. But when it comes to serious policy oriented sites, chances are slim that you’d find this sort of trashy stuff commented upon. So the question I have for the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) bloggers over at the State of the Union, why are you spending so much time reacting to Dann’s substandard behavior and making silly Photoshop lampoons when you should be discussing serious policy?

"Let’s set the record straight, Ohio’s economic tailspin was not caused by the Democrats nor Mark Dann. It was caused by over fifteen years of bad socialist policy developed by Republicans. So while Dann may be giving the blogoshpere fodder, the ORP should certainly steer clear of lampoons and parodies, much less self-righteous accusatory comments and analysis.

"And to Mr. DeWine, who is making an earnest attempt to ensure the Ohio Republican Party has a web presence, please look to the weblogs from the Heritage Foundation, The Cato Institute, Buckeye Institute, and The Acton Institute as a good reference for truly professional weblogs. We also have a number here in Ohio worth looking at too: BizzyBlog, Boring Made Dull, Eye Hacker Blog, Thurber's Thoughts, and Wizblog. While there are many more fine examples, these five certainly rank as the cream of the crop in Ohio.

"At the end of the month Dann will most likely resign and another drone socialist will be appointed, but Ohio will still be in this depression. Even with that, we still need the ORP, but what we really need is solid policy ideas that return to republican norms. And this policy must be articulated well and set apart from the socialism that has taken root in Ohio. Mr. DeWine, this is what needs to happen. Now get on the stick and crack that whip, and along the way fire your blogging staff and get some professionals. Get some folks that know how to write; not create silly pictures with Photoshop."

Comment: The one point that the blogger One Oar hit upon, and is our focus, is the need for serious policy discussions. The Ohio Republican Party (ORP) must have a firm idea where they want to take the State, then through mediums like their blog, convey it to the citizens of Ohio.

Yet it has been evident for quite some time that neither the ORP nor the Republican leadership in the General Assembly has any policy orientation. Quite frankly much of the policy orientation Mr. Husted (R-Kettering) has been championing is Democrat Governor Ted Strickland’s!

If the ORP is going to regain what has been lost by power politics and shortsighted socialist measures in the General Assembly, and the pure leadership incompetence by former Republican Governor Taft, then ORP must return to free market and limited government ideals, and champion these!

For example compare Mr. Husted's energy plan with the measure by “The Ohio 19” that would remove the state income tax. Mr. Husted’s plan will waste our wages on silly unproven energy ideas and technology, cause Ohio energy industry to go the way of our other industries (rust away), ultimately cause higher energy prices, and further, cause Ohioans to leave the state. Now compare this with the removal of the state income tax, which will make Ohio more attractive to businesses and workers. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize which is the better policy, and is republican!

Sound policy is what we need from Ohio’s Republicans, not silly parodies. But unless we actually have a policy orientation I guess all we are left with is pointing the finger at the moron Mark Dann.