The Earth is Shaking in Ohio

Matt Naugle of NaugBlog is reporting that State Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, along with 19 other legislators, is forwarding a bill that would eliminate the income tax. This is very good indication; now lets see if the Ohio Republican party gets behind this and makes it part of its platform.

From Lima News:

COLUMBUS — A group of legislators wants to phase out the state’s income tax in 10 years and said doing so would halt Ohio’s population loss to other states and create jobs.

State Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, and the region’s other legislators are part of a group of 19 pushing the bill introduced Monday.

“This idea is not conservative or liberal, left or right, it is just simple economics,” Adams said. “When we tax the risk takers and job creators, we will have less of them.”

Other states are flattening their top rates and nine states have no income tax, Adams said.

Reducing the state’s tax burden will draw more business and capital to the state; more people paying other kinds of existing taxes make up the difference, they argue.

With the socialist Third Frontier Program and Gov. Strickland’s foolish plans to “invest” tax dollars in risky job creating schemes, Rep. Adams’ plan is the only real, long-term way to encourage more economic growth and job creation within Ohio. Ohio’s state and local tax burden, according to the Tax Foundation, is the 5th worst in the nation. If the goal is “economic stimulus”, there would be no better shot in the arm to Ohio’s economy than scrapping the state income tax.

Too bad there aren’t enough real Republicans in the Ohio legislature to get the job done.

Comment: Mr. Naugle said it all.

More on Not One Red Cent!

A supporter of this boycott sent us comments from an Ohio based conservative-republican discussion board, and not surprising they were hostile to this endeavor. Actually one person said that we were working for the infamous communist George Soros. We can assure you, we do not.

Our goal is simple; to convince Ohio Republicans that the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) has strayed too far from authentic republican norms, and through a statewide boycott of the ORP’s “88 in 08” donation effort, affect change in the party leadership and direction, and the direction of legislation in the General Assembly.

How will we know if we are successful; this in itself is a difficult task. However, we have mulled around a couple potential milestones that we might use, which will indicate if the ORP is moving in the right direction:

1. Party Chairman Bob Bennett either steps down from his position or is voted out;
2. The tax rate in Ohio is reduced; specifically, elimination of the income tax for all Ohio, and the reduction of the corporate tax rate;
3. Advance above the 25th position in the business tax climate ranking conducted by the Tax Foundation.
4. Advance above the 25^th position in the personal tax climate ranking conducted by the Tax Foundation.
5. Advance above the 10^th position for education ranking conducted by American Legislative Exchange Council.
6. Reduce Ohio’s unemployment rate to below 4.5 percent; this would take us below the national average by 0.5 percent;
7. Reduce government spending by 15 percent;
8. Reduce the regulatory constraints preventing new construction of energy power plants and develop a comprehensive plan to increase the number of energy plants;
9. Regain the Governor’s seat;
10. Regain the lost seat in the United States Senate.

These are only a few and I am sure we will examine other areas that would certainly indicate a return to republican norms, such as reducing the gigantic Medicare beast. We also hope that fellow republicans reading this weblog would offer their opinions as well.

But we should be clear that it is not our goal to destroy for the sake of destruction. Since the time of the French Revolution such actions of destruction have been the hallmark of the left. Our goal is to destroy only the cancerous tumor that is causing illness to the body. Ohio needs the ORP, but it must be healthy and focused on republican norms. Otherwise we will be faced with a very dismal outlook, and one only needs to look north to Michigan for our potential circumstances.

Arshinkoff - Klinger Race: Getting Closer…

SOBAlliance blogger Ben Keeler voices his continued opposition of Alex Arshinkoff’s bid to remain the Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party at politics.ohio.com.

“It's time to unseat Arshinkoff for better and more competent leadership. Klinger and other new officers should be able to take the party in the right direction with integrity - and that is something our party currently lacks. The party also lacks wins, which is kind of an important thing when it comes to a politics. It is pretty simple. No hidden reasons. The party is bigger than one person, though some current leaders don't seem to think that.”

Comment: As we here at Not One Red Cent have known for quite some time there is a high level of dissatisfaction, if one wants to use such a mild term, concerning republican county party politics and leadership across much of the state. This is causing many republicans to turn away from the party. And guaranteed, Ohio Republicans are voting with their feet; they are leaving the state.

Unless we get better party leadership, party leadership with republican norms, we will not attract new leadership for the future and will continue witness the opposition party’s growth of state control.

The party must return to a grass roots effort that is united with Ohio citizens and away from the big party political donors that has been the norm so far too long. If this party is to survive, it must be united at a grassroots level. Mr. Arshinkoff represents the past and is detached from his community, as is State Party Chairman Bob Bennett from the state.

Decisions were made for far too long by a small group of party members that have had dramatic affects upon our state and local economies, and way of life. The time has come to for our local communities to have a voice in how our state is run and our party is led. Get involved at the county level and help fight the cabal that is infecting our state party. And lastly, please boycott the Ohio Republican Party and send them an email or letter telling them Not One Red Cent until republican norms return to Ohio.

Jim Trakas works with MyOhioNow casino effort

Writes like She Talks: Jim Trakas works with MyOhioNow casino effort

Via Writes Like She Talks:

I’m broken and mortally wounded and I’m not even a Republican:

[GOP Candidate for OH-10 and former Cuyahoga County Republican Party chair Jim] Trakas has quietly been guiding some of the political moves of MyOhioNow.com, the crusade led by Cleveland-area developers to pass a ballot issue that would allow them to build a $600 million casino and resort about 40 miles north of Cincinnati, just off Interstate 71.

Trakas works with the casino group through his consulting company, Excellence Solutions of Ohio, but has kept a low profile. He is trying raise money for his congressional bid from Republican donors, some of whom have not been fond of gambling initiatives in the past.

Okay, GOPpers, if I feel sad about this, how does it make you feel?

Comment: We agree with JMZ and let’s hope her Democrat cohorts follow her lead. Cleveland isn’t a bastion of the ORP as we all know. With that said, gambling is one thing, but when it’s furthered by government it’s another. We have seen states move first to lotteries, then to dog racing, and now on to casinos, all to collect more money to spend more money. The avarice of our political class is distressing. Likewise, it is also distressing that Republicans continue down this same road, knowing that they are leading our citizens on to a path of vice, which will lead to certain poverty.

The answer is not casinos, but economic prosperity. Until we change the business climate of this state we will continue to see politicians like Trakas grasping for vice to fill the treasury coffers, and probably his pockets.

We will not have solid Republican norms until we rid the party of those that seek the enlargement of the leviathan and lack a solid moral compass. Please boycott the ORP and let those that support Trakas know we want change. We want Republicans with republican norms.

Not One Red Cent until Republican norms return to Ohio!

Ohio Needs More Business Failures???

Right Runner: Ohio Needs More Business Failures???

Via the Right Runner:

Well, yeah. And, this article by The Buckeye Institute explains why. Think of the business cycle as one big funnel that's big at the top and small at the bottom. All the start-up businesses go in at the top. Through attrition; not enough money, poor business model, unforeseen consequences, etc; the majority of businesses will fail. But, through the bottom end emerges some very strong companies. Here's a few snippets of the article:

Business failure is an essential part of the churn of a vibrant economy. They can’t be prevented, and policymakers shouldn’t try. Research shows that an economy’s business failure rate has little to do with its success in generating jobs (and wealth).

In addition:

Indeed, a US Small Business Administration report found that the rate of small company “births” was crucial to state economic growth, employment, and income. What’s important is the number of firms that start, not the number that fail.

This is a critically important insight. On a statewide basis, Ohio’s economy doesn’t suffer because companies fail. It suffers because enough new ones don’t start. Entrepreneurs don’t see Ohio as a place to begin their quest for fortune.

Why not? Because:

Ohio’s business climate has ranked near the nation’s bottom for decades—46th out of 50 states according to the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation. The income tax is our “category killer.” Ohio’s state and local income taxes bury us in 48th spot, just above California and New Jersey.

Why is that? Because:

Ohio’s income taxes punish small businesses owners for making more money. Then, in a double whammy, our estate tax encourages them to move it out of state. Simply reducing the number of tax brackets could add 55,000 jobs to the Ohio economy and increase payroll by $1.8 billion according to research by the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston.

So, what's the answer? Glad you asked:

Ohio needs to streamline the business start up process and reduce the burdens on current and future wealth creators. An intermediate step might be to adopt one income tax rate for all Ohio households, and eliminating income tax obligations for low and moderate income households. A more radical and economically beneficial step would be to follow the lead of high growth states like Texas and eliminate the income tax altogether. This would help establish Ohio as the Hong Kong of the Midwest, demonstrating to investors everywhere that the state is serious about promoting and protecting wealth creation.

Anything else?

Ohio doesn’t just need one or two new businesses. It needs ground swell. Gov. Strickland and state policymakers should dump the failed policies of the past and consider adopting outside the box reforms like phasing out the state income tax over the long term.

So, essentially Ohio needs to cut taxes, reduce spending and create a more business-friendly environment. Where have you heard that before?

PS: I forgot to mention that there is a guy who has already stated his intention to run for governor in a couple of years. He has already stated that one of the things Ohio needs to do in order to turn its business climate around is to phase out the income tax. He plans to unveil how to make up for the loss in income in the near future. There is also a really nice benefit to no income taxes: more money in my wallet. I'm on board with that. His name is John Kasich.

Comment: The Right Runner is spot on concerning the recommendations offered by The Buckeye Institute, and it has been amazing that this superior think tank’s research has been disregarded by the ORP.

Gov. Strickland certainly is not the guy that will effect any positive change, however his ascendancy resulted from the miserable performance of our former governor Taft and the poor policy created by the Republican led General Assembly.

Folks, change will only come when we put people in positions of authority that have our norms. We must stop perpetuating the same failed actions. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We keep voting for the big government cabal in the ORP election after election and look where Ohio is today. The time has come for a new generation of leaders, but this will not come until we purge the old guard. This purge must hit them in the wallets, so please, boycott the ORP and withhold all donations until change comes.

Right Runner’s commentary indicates that we have no choice. Well I guess we do have another, but its called insanity.

I Blame Republicans

From Kevin DeWine, Deputy Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party:



Comment: The words are true, but the painful fact is that our State is in serious peril and it was caused not by Democrats, but Republicans. When I was filing my taxes I was ticked off because for the last three years I have had to pay taxes. For the last three years I have been in the highest tax bracket and I don't really make that much money. I blame the party in power. I blame Republicans.


Not One Red Cent until Republican norms return to Ohio!

John Kasich visits Mercer County

Darke Blog: John Kasich visits Mercer County

Via Darke Blog:

John Kasich was the guest speaker at tonight's Reagan Day dinner in Mercer County. Kasich acknowledged his interest in running for governor in 2010, and went on to speak on the issues most important to Ohio.

Kasich spoke of our unfavorable taxation and overzealous regulation, especially in comparison to our neighboring states. He said that Jeb Bush jokingly thanked Ohio for driving all its entrpreneurs to Florida. Kasich said that Ohio was in a "death spiral" economically.

He also spoke at length about education and his preference that teachers be rewarded based upon their performance. He regretted that the United States is 9th and 14th worldwide in math and science (I could have those backwards). He spoke with passion that our children are better than that, and we need to push them in constructive ways.

Kasich also told several personal stories. Incredibly as a college freshman, Kasich wrote a letter to President Nixon and earned a meeting with the President in the oval office. Just a few years later in 1976, Kasich was a key member of Ronald Reagan's first primary run for President.

In a pre-dinner reception, Kasich answered questions and spoke at length about his time working with Fox News, and his surprisingly friendly relationship with Geraldo Rivera of all people. Kasich spoke optimistically about the energy crisis, saying that our capitalism and technology will allow us to produce new and exciting alternatives to our dependence on foreign oil. In a remarkable statement, Kasich said he wished President Bush had committed to finding the next great energy source in ten years (rather than promoting consumer activity) in the aftermath of 9/11. Kasich continues his "pre-campaign" activities in Miami County on Saturday.

Comment: Endorsement for Mr. Kasich, no; hope for the Ohio Republican Party with Mr. Kasich back in Ohio, yes. Everything he has been saying is a breathe of fresh air, and a return to Republican norms.