The State of Illinois has almost deeper problems than the good old USA. We are a week away from the GOP primary on February 2, 2010. As the euphoria wears off from the Senator-elect, Scott Brown, victory in Massachusetts, the Illinois GOP has some huge mountains to climb before that same type of victory can be duplicated here. Just as in Massachusetts, there is a growing movement that seeks to throw out the incumbents during this election cycle. To a certain extent, I agree. My sentiment is that we should follow in the footsteps of our fellow Americans in Massachusetts and throw out the establishment within the party brands. It is time to send the old guard on a barge down the Mississippi River into the delta where they can retire in splendor to spin yarns about election battles of years past, won and lost. With that thought, here is where I have cast my votes (through early voting) for contested primary races.
Governor: Adam Andrzejewski
He is an entrepreneur who has met a payroll and is intent on shaking the Springfield combine up with new ideas. He is NOT part of the modern day aristocracy, a lawyer. To those who say that he is not experienced enough is a true canard. Anyone who puts together a successful business enterprise is quite capable of running Illinois State Government. Adam is such a person. As Abraham Lincoln once said “The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.” With that in mind, it is time to throw out the old and bring in new, fresh leadership to dramatically change state government.
Lieutenant Governor: Jason Plummer
Young and full of energy. Just the type of person that can assist the Governor’s team in weeding out wasteful spending and bringing in fiscal sanity to an over bloated state government.
U.S. Senate: Patrick Hughes
We are on the verge of an election revolution across the United States. He would joint the conservative block in the U.S. Senate and work for additional tax cuts and reduce government spending.
U.S. Congress—14th District: Randy Hultgren
He is the better of the two GOP candidates in replacing Congressman Foster.
More seasoned than Ethan Hastert, Hultgren will represent this district well. He most assuredly will take a stand against the porky earmarks that Congress has attached to legislation for the last decade.
State Comptroller: William Kelly
He would be a valued member of a GOP team that will shake up state government and push for transparency. Not to mention he could add a little pizzazz to the overall GOP ticket.
State Senate—25th: State Senator Chris Lauzen
Part of the fab five elected to the state Senate in the 1990’s. He has always been responsive with his constituents. You can count on Chris to cut through the budget nonsense and work with a new Republican Governor to get the State of Illinois on firmer financial footing.
While I have already voted, I encourage you to request a Republican ballot in this Tuesday’s Illinois Primary and exercise your franchise.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
CUT TAXES NOW!!
December’s jobs report was not good. With the unemployment rate still stagnate at 10%, the economy is still sputtering. A number of labor economists point to the real unemployment rate sitting at 17% to 20% when you include discouraged workers and the under-employed.
To add to this weak situation, larger firms like United Parcel Service (UPS) have announced significant layoffs forthcoming. UPS can be considered an indicator of how well the economy it doing. If package shipments are up it’s a good sign that the economy is improving or robust. Currently, it does not look good.
The Keynesians in power seek to push through another stimulus package. President Obama is emphasizing “green jobs” as part of that package. The first stimulus did not work very well. What makes them think a second one will? It won’t.
In order to effectively stimulate the economy, CUT TAXES NOW!
To those who will argue that a tax cutting policy will only add to the deficit, phooey. Perhaps in the short run that might be the case, but in the long run the revenues will increase as job growth and income growth rise as a result of significant tax cuts.
Tax cuts worked during the Kennedy administration in the 1960’s. They worked during the Reagan administration in the 1980’s. They worked during the Clinton administration during the 1990’s. Even the Bush tax cuts helped an economy mired in recession at the start of this century.
Four simple tax cuts are urgently needed now.
1. Cut the payroll tax (FICA) to 5%. Employees have this tax taken out of their paycheck. A cut would put more money in their pocket for saving and spending. Employers pay this amount too. A cut would free up more cash for their business operations.
2. Spread the Marginal Tax rates for the Federal Income Tax. Make the adjustment retroactive to January 1, 2010 allowing for more take home pay. The rates should be adjusted as follows:
Rate-- Single Income-- Married Income
10%-- Up to 20,000---- Up to 40,000
15%-- 20K to 45,000-- 40K to 90,000
20%-- 45K to 90,000-- 90K to 180,000
25%-- 90K to 180,000- 180K to 360,000
30%-- 180K and UP--- 360K and UP
3. Cut the Capital Gains Tax to 10%
4. Reduce taxes across the board for small business owners.
All of these tax cuts taken together will provide plenty of capital to get the economy rolling again. Spending will not. It is through economic growth and income growth that produce the revenue stream to retire government debt. The alternative would be the Keynesian exacta of Death through Taxes.
To add to this weak situation, larger firms like United Parcel Service (UPS) have announced significant layoffs forthcoming. UPS can be considered an indicator of how well the economy it doing. If package shipments are up it’s a good sign that the economy is improving or robust. Currently, it does not look good.
The Keynesians in power seek to push through another stimulus package. President Obama is emphasizing “green jobs” as part of that package. The first stimulus did not work very well. What makes them think a second one will? It won’t.
In order to effectively stimulate the economy, CUT TAXES NOW!
To those who will argue that a tax cutting policy will only add to the deficit, phooey. Perhaps in the short run that might be the case, but in the long run the revenues will increase as job growth and income growth rise as a result of significant tax cuts.
Tax cuts worked during the Kennedy administration in the 1960’s. They worked during the Reagan administration in the 1980’s. They worked during the Clinton administration during the 1990’s. Even the Bush tax cuts helped an economy mired in recession at the start of this century.
Four simple tax cuts are urgently needed now.
1. Cut the payroll tax (FICA) to 5%. Employees have this tax taken out of their paycheck. A cut would put more money in their pocket for saving and spending. Employers pay this amount too. A cut would free up more cash for their business operations.
2. Spread the Marginal Tax rates for the Federal Income Tax. Make the adjustment retroactive to January 1, 2010 allowing for more take home pay. The rates should be adjusted as follows:
Rate-- Single Income-- Married Income
10%-- Up to 20,000---- Up to 40,000
15%-- 20K to 45,000-- 40K to 90,000
20%-- 45K to 90,000-- 90K to 180,000
25%-- 90K to 180,000- 180K to 360,000
30%-- 180K and UP--- 360K and UP
3. Cut the Capital Gains Tax to 10%
4. Reduce taxes across the board for small business owners.
All of these tax cuts taken together will provide plenty of capital to get the economy rolling again. Spending will not. It is through economic growth and income growth that produce the revenue stream to retire government debt. The alternative would be the Keynesian exacta of Death through Taxes.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Mr. Steele Needs New Advisors
I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Michael Steele, the GOP Party Chairman. His recent pronouncements that it is unlikely that the Republicans will pick up enough seats to gain control of the US House of Representatives, is mind boggling. Mr. Steele is a smart man. Could it be that he is just gaming the media? It would not surprise me. Grab headlines in the dead tree media, on the toob, and over the digital media space with a view that runs counter to the conventional wisdom. Play the expectations game. Fire up the Republican base counting on them to prove him wrong. Very interesting strateegery.
More likely, he has a staff of Potomac politicos that don’t wander too far from the beltway. Out here in the heartland, the people are greatly upset with the politicians in Washington, D.C. Both the Democrat and Republican brands are deeply tarnished. Should congress continue to ignore the wishes of the people there will be electoral revolutions at the ballot box come November 2, 2010.
Mr. Steele needs to fire his current crop of political advisors, as this is not the first time they have gotten the GOP in hot water through their silly advice. Remember the “litmus test” trial balloon that was floated over the summer? They promptly removed from discussion. There were ten points which I list below, annotated of course.
(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama's "stimulus" bill;
Yes. I recall during the Reagan area, former Congressman Manuel Lujan, Jr. (R-1st-NM) running ads in which he stated, “We need to move to a smaller, leaner government.” This is a very good thing.
(2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run health care;
Yes. Free Market competition will produce lower costs.
(2) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;
YES. Incorporate the “Pickens Plan” into any energy plan.
(4) We support workers' right to secret ballot by opposing card check;
YES. Why give the Big Unions more political power and the opportunity for retribution to those who do not support them.
(5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;
A qualified NO. Protect our borders. Revise current immigration “quota’s”. Reform the visa granting process. Provide a process by which those already in the country can obtain citizenship. The Fed’s lax policy has led to the illegal problem and they need to be held accountable for it. Federal Prisons for those convicted of crimes.
(6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;
YES. With a change in overall strategy. No more “Nation Building”. Like the Israeli Mosad, hunt down the terrorists and give them a dirt bath.
(7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;
YES. If we fail to achieve results with respect to Iran, Israel will act. We must engage fully with China to get Korea to back down.
(8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;
YES.
(9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and
YES. Without Life there is no future!
(10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership.
YES. Furthermore, we need conceal / carry in Illinois.
While a litmus test sounds appealing, all it produces is a bunch of clones. A more diversity of opinion generally produces great ideas that can move the country forward.
Mr. Steele needs to spend less time along the frozen Potomac with his political consultant friends. He needs to venture into the heartland and really see what is on people’s minds. He could then see that it is possible that the Republicans could pick up 47 seats during this years midterm election. This would give the GOP control of the house (225 seats) and the Democrats will once again be in the minority (208 seats).
More likely, he has a staff of Potomac politicos that don’t wander too far from the beltway. Out here in the heartland, the people are greatly upset with the politicians in Washington, D.C. Both the Democrat and Republican brands are deeply tarnished. Should congress continue to ignore the wishes of the people there will be electoral revolutions at the ballot box come November 2, 2010.
Mr. Steele needs to fire his current crop of political advisors, as this is not the first time they have gotten the GOP in hot water through their silly advice. Remember the “litmus test” trial balloon that was floated over the summer? They promptly removed from discussion. There were ten points which I list below, annotated of course.
(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama's "stimulus" bill;
Yes. I recall during the Reagan area, former Congressman Manuel Lujan, Jr. (R-1st-NM) running ads in which he stated, “We need to move to a smaller, leaner government.” This is a very good thing.
(2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run health care;
Yes. Free Market competition will produce lower costs.
(2) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;
YES. Incorporate the “Pickens Plan” into any energy plan.
(4) We support workers' right to secret ballot by opposing card check;
YES. Why give the Big Unions more political power and the opportunity for retribution to those who do not support them.
(5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;
A qualified NO. Protect our borders. Revise current immigration “quota’s”. Reform the visa granting process. Provide a process by which those already in the country can obtain citizenship. The Fed’s lax policy has led to the illegal problem and they need to be held accountable for it. Federal Prisons for those convicted of crimes.
(6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;
YES. With a change in overall strategy. No more “Nation Building”. Like the Israeli Mosad, hunt down the terrorists and give them a dirt bath.
(7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;
YES. If we fail to achieve results with respect to Iran, Israel will act. We must engage fully with China to get Korea to back down.
(8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;
YES.
(9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and
YES. Without Life there is no future!
(10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership.
YES. Furthermore, we need conceal / carry in Illinois.
While a litmus test sounds appealing, all it produces is a bunch of clones. A more diversity of opinion generally produces great ideas that can move the country forward.
Mr. Steele needs to spend less time along the frozen Potomac with his political consultant friends. He needs to venture into the heartland and really see what is on people’s minds. He could then see that it is possible that the Republicans could pick up 47 seats during this years midterm election. This would give the GOP control of the house (225 seats) and the Democrats will once again be in the minority (208 seats).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)