Spaces’ Health Care Vote Raises Taxes and Slashes Benefits for Seniors

Release:

Lakeville, OH – Senator Bob Gibbs, candidate for Ohio’s 18th Congressional District, reacted today to Rep. Zack Space’s vote to favor the Nancy Pelosi government run health care program.

“It is unacceptable that Zack Space just voted to slash benefits from the Medicare program, raise taxes, and add 118 new government bureaucracies” said Senator Gibbs. “Zack has been dodging his constituents’ views on the issue of healthcare because he knows that this district is against the Pelosi plan.”

“Not only does this bill implement a $729.5 billion dollar new tax on our families, it also does not address skyrocketing health care costs and criminalizes non-compliance which increasingly erodes our freedoms and individual liberties,” Gibbs added.

Zack Space has been publicly criticized in recent months for refusing to meet with his constituents on the issues of health care reform and cap-and-trade. Space voted to support both cap-and-trade and now health care, two bills which are strongly opposed by his districts workers, families and seniors. “Once again, Zack chose Nancy Pelosi’s agenda over the good of his constituents,” commented Gibbs on the recent health care vote. “Never before have I seen a congressman so neglect his constituents and their wishes.”

For three decades Bob Gibbs has served as a small business owner and community leader, operating a farm and rental property business. He served on the Ohio Farm Bureau Board of Trustees for fifteen years and is a past president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Cates for Butler County Commissioner?

I found a very interesting throw away line in the Cincinnati Enquirer piece covering last nights festivities t the Butler County GOP Endorsement Meeting. It is from Commission Don the Democrat Dixon:

It could pave the way for some "big names," such as state Sen. Gary Cates, to enter the race, Dixon speculated. Cates, a state senator since 2005, will term limit out in 2012.

Senator? Anything you'd like to say? :)

However...I MUST object to something else that made it in to the piece (on page 2). Robert Weber is NOT a Republican. He is -- in fact -- a socialist. Just ask him.

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: GOP Endorsement for County Commissioner

There were five rounds of voting...

FIRST ROUND:

Alvarez - 91
Carpenter - 66
Jolivette - 54
Nix - 84
Retherford - 13
No Endorsement - 10

SECOND ROUND:

Alvarez - 105
Carpenter - 57
Jolivette - 50
Nix - 94
No Endorsement - 7

THIRD ROUND:

Alvarez - 111
Carpenter - 56
Nix - 107
No Endorsement - 25

FOURTH ROUND:

Alvarez - 109
Nix - 113
No Endorsement - 68

FIFTH ROUND:

Alvarez - 97
Nix - 113
No Endorsement - 69

RESULT: No Endorsement.

NOTES:

John Kasich was endorsed for governor tonight (97%)

Steve Chabot was endorsed for the OH-01 congressional race.

Roger Reynolds was endorsed for Butler County Auditor.

Barbara Carter Schneider was endorsed for Court of Common Please Domestic

Ed Shelton called me a "dip$#|+"

Chris Wunnenberg thanked me for calling him a lousy politician. Humor was appreciated, Chris...

My spies tell me that Prosecutor Robin Piper (who is running for 12th District Court of Appeals) and Sheriff Jones (who I really don't have a problem with outside of his unwillingness to yield to reality on the budget) don't like me very much.

I must be doing something right...

Why do I do this? I think part of the problem in Butler County is that far too many people are willing to talk behind closed doors and in whispers, but not out where people can really know what the score is... I receive information from sources in and out of the party that I trust far more than I trust some of our elected officials. I get information from people who have worked for some of these people. If I didn't hear it from at least two sources, you won't see it on WMD...

I have stuff that I am working on that will really bring the house down...so, no, my friends, I'm not done yet. What will it take for the corrupt influences that have plagued our county for so long finally get the message that the good people of Butler County are fed up? We just might find out...

Keep the faith, my friends...we still have a LONG journey ahead of us.

UPDATE: I was just reminded that Mike Fox had the nerve to show up. No wheelchair in sight... I'm just putting it out there...

VIDEO: Turner Stops By the Tea Party Rally Against Pelosi Health Care Reform Bill

Mike Turner greeting people at the Washington, DC Tea Party Rally against the Pelosi Health Care Reform Bill...

...I wonder if the Congressman took any questions about pork? Thankfully, the Congressman is with us on this health care bill, but this crowd opposes wasteful government spending too!

AARP: Just Another Greedy Insurance Company

From the House Republican Conference:

AARP: Just Another Greedy Insurance Company

November 4, 2009

“Either you’re a voice for the elderly or you’re an insurance company—choose one….They put themselves forward as non-biased observers, but they’re very swayed by business interests.”

— Independent consultant Dean Zerbe, quoted in Washington Post expose

Press reports indicate that AARP may endorse Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill as soon as Thursday. However, even as AARP teams up with Democrats to challenge a recent study demonstrating that premiums would rise under Democrats’ government takeover of health care as an “insurance industry hatchet job” that’s not “worth the paper it’s printed on,” an analysis of the organization’s operations reveals that it functions as a de facto insurance company—one that has participated in ethically questionable dealings:

· A letter from AARP admits that during the years 1999-2008, AARP received an average $339.7 million dollars per year in “royalty fees” from licensing its brand name to various insurance products. Extrapolating this average over the entire decade, AARP received nearly $3.4 billion in windfall profits from selling health insurance and other similar products.

· Moreover, a review of its financial statements finds that relying on average “royalty fees” over the last decade significantly underestimates AARP’s existing revenue base, as the organization has focused heavily on increasing its “royalties” in the past few years. In 2008 alone, AARP received more than half a billion dollars in revenue from selling products like Medigap supplemental insurance policies—$652.7 million in direct “royalties and fees,” an increase of more than 31 percent from $497.6 million in similar fees in 2007. While royalty revenues now comprise more than half—60.3 percent—of all AARP revenues, a Bloomberg news analysis published in December found that in 1999, royalties comprised only 11 percent of the organization’s total revenues.

· AARP’s financial statements also note that of the $657.2 million in “royalty fees” received in 2008, 63 percent—more than $414 million—came from United Health Group, an insurance company which markets AARP-branded Medigap and Medicare Advantage supplemental insurance policies. Nearly 40 percent of AARP’s 2008 revenue came from United Health Group—more than it received in membership dues, grants, and private contributions combined.

Most concerningly, the growth in “royalty” revenues has resulted in a series of business practices and controversies which AARP members and independent outside observers questioning whether the organization is serving its members, or its own bottom line:
· The Bloomberg article highlighted what one observer called AARP’s “dirty little secret”—overcharging its senior members, many of whom who felt betrayed after paying hundreds of dollars above market price for AARP-branded coverage. One of its own members noted that “AARP has great buying power, and people should be able to get the best deal….This is unconscionable, what AARP has allowed to happen.” Another disillusioned senior wrote to the organization’s leadership asking whether AARP had a “‘special relationship’ with [insurance carriers] by which it receives commissions, incentives, rebates, or dare I say ‘kickbacks?’”

“There’s an inherent conflict of interest….They’re ending up becoming very dependent on sources of income.”

— Former AARP Executive Marilyn Moon, quoted in Bloomberg article

· While the AARP website claims that the organization supports “guaranteeing that all individuals and groups wishing to purchase or renew coverage can do so regardless of age or pre-existing conditions,” a review of the New York State Insurance Commissioner’s website finds that AARP-branded Medigap coverage imposes a six-month waiting period for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Some may therefore question whether the AARP’s desire to sell insurance coverage bringing the organization high “royalty fees” is interfering with its mission to serve seniors, including those in most need of medical coverage.

· In November, news sources reported that AARP suspended the sale of “limited-benefit” health insurance policies, largely as a result of pressure from Republican Members of Congress concerned that the organization was selling policies advertised as a “smart option for the health care insurance you need,” even though the policies would only pay up to $10,000 for surgery costs. However, the fate of the more than 1 million policy-holders who purchased limited-benefit coverage from AARP remains unclear—and the organization has made no public offers to return the “royalty fees” on the “bare bones” policies it sold under questionable pretenses.

While the Pelosi bill includes strict restrictions on virtually all other forms of insurance, it includes no additional restrictions on Medigap policies—thus allowing AARP to continue making billions of dollars in “kickbacks” by overcharging seniors for insurance policies and denying access to seniors with pre-existing conditions. With Speaker Pelosi calling insurance companies “immoral villains,” and Sen. Jay Rockefeller deriding them as “rapacious,” many may question why Democrats are so quick to rely on an organization that has received billions of dollars in windfall profits from those same insurers as an “independent” source to support their government takeover of health care. More importantly, a fundamental question presents itself: With its own members believing that AARP is “making money on the backs of old people,” who should believe that the organization is looking out for seniors’ interests and not its own?

BUTLER COUNTY: Reynolds Continues Revaluations

Release:

HAMILTON, OH – Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds committed in 2008 to adjust property values on his own this year and the process is nearing completion. After taking office in April of 2008, when a state-mandated revaluation based on higher market values (2005, 2006, 2007) had been virtually completed, Reynolds promised to analyze values this year and adjust them accordingly.

“Butler County did not escape the free fall of home values in 2008 and 2009,” Reynolds stated. “While there has been some recent stabilization of the market, homes are clearly selling for less than they were in 2006 and 2007.”

The revaluation will take into account residential sales data collected in 2008 and 2009.
By utilizing the office’s real estate software, the majority of the work has been accomplished in house.

Reynolds sees different levels of decline across the county. “Based on real data, certain areas of the county have faired better than others. As expected, homes in suburban areas such as West Chester and Liberty Township have declined, but not near the level of decline that we have seen in the more urban areas of Hamilton, Middletown and parts of Trenton.”

“The bottom line is the state regulated 2008 revaluation was based on 2006 and 2007 data, which did not come close to reflecting the economic realities of the last two years. I am committed to analyzing and reducing values wherever necessary,” Reynolds said.

After this year’s revaluation, the next scheduled county-wide review will take place in 2011. “Like all property owners, I’m hopeful values recover and the economy strengthens. However, until such time I’m committed to appraising real estate at a conservative, fair value.”

Reynolds plans to have the reductions in place before the end of the year.

GUEST COLUMN: "Honoring America’s Veterans"

By State Rep. John Adams

As a Navy veteran, I have always believed that supporting and honoring our nation's veterans is the best display of patriotism. Today, there are approximately 25 million military veterans living in the United States, and Veterans Day on November 11th is the perfect opportunity to show reverence for the sacrifices of our nation's veterans and service members.

Veterans Day, formerly called “Armistice Day,” commemorated the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. It was designated a holiday that was “dedicated to the cause of world peace” and became a day to officially honor veterans of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson broadcasted the importance of Armistice Day in his final national address, proclaiming that “the anniversary of Armistice Day should stir us to great exaltation of spirit because of the proud recollection that it was our day, a day above those early days of that never-to-be-forgotten November.”

Following World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day was renamed “Veterans Day” to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed, “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.”

In continuing the traditions of this holiday, it is important to never take the service and sacrifices of our nation's service members for granted. By being good citizens and being proud of the country that has been built upon the blood and sweat of our nation's veterans, we can ensure that we will never forget the challenges our country has overcome throughout the years. None of what we have accomplished together would be possible without the strength of our military and the bravery of those who have answered the call to duty.

This Veterans Day, I encourage you to proudly fly the American Flag as a symbol of our enduring freedoms and to honor the men and women who have lost their lives defending it. I would like to take a moment to thank all my fellow comrades in arms who have stood in the face of danger, who have put themselves in life-threatening situations to protect their neighbors and loved ones back home. Whether you were storming the beaches of Normandy, fighting in Pacific jungles or traversing the deserts of the Middle East, we all have been brought together by the common threads of patriotism and a love for all that America stands for.

INFO: New Federal Bureaucracies Created in Pelosi Health Care Bill

The House Republican Conference has compiled a list of all the 118 new boards, bureaucracies, commissions, and programs created in H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care:



1. Retiree Reserve Trust Fund (Section 111(d), p. 61)

2. Grant program for wellness programs to small employers (Section 112, p. 62)

3. Grant program for State health access programs (Section 114, p. 72)

4. Program of administrative simplification (Section 115, p. 76)

5. Health Benefits Advisory Committee (Section 223, p. 111)

6. Health Choices Administration (Section 241, p. 131)

7. Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman (Section 244, p. 138)

8. Health Insurance Exchange (Section 201, p. 155)

9. Program for technical assistance to employees of small businesses buying Exchange coverage (Section 305(h), p. 191)

10. Mechanism for insurance risk pooling to be established by Health Choices Commissioner (Section 306(b), p. 194)

11. Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund (Section 307, p. 195)

12. State-based Health Insurance Exchanges (Section 308, p. 197)

13. Grant program for health insurance cooperatives (Section 310, p. 206)

14. “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 321, p. 211)

15. Ombudsman for “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 321(d), p. 213)

16. Account for receipts and disbursements for “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 322(b), p. 215)

17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)

18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for “culturally and linguistically appropriate services” (Section 1222, p. 617)

19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)

20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)

21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)

22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)

23. Independence at home demonstration program (Section 1312, p. 718)

24. Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Section 1401(a), p. 734)

25. Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission (Section 1401(a), p. 738)

26. Patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research (Section 1401(a), p. 753)

27. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1412(b)(1), p. 784)

28. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for nursing facilities (Section 1412 (b)(2), p. 786)

29. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1413(a)(3), p. 796)

30. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 1413(b)(3), p. 804)

31. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 1422, p. 859)

32. Demonstration program for approved teaching health centers with respect to Medicare GME (Section 1502(d), p. 933)

33. Pilot program to develop anti-fraud compliance systems for Medicare providers (Section 1635, p. 978)

34. Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange (Section 1647, p. 1000)

35. Medical home pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1722, p. 1058)

36. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1730A, p. 1073)

37. Nursing facility supplemental payment program (Section 1745, p. 1106)

38. Demonstration program for Medicaid coverage to stabilize emergency medical conditions in institutions for mental diseases (Section 1787, p. 1149)

39. Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund (Section 1802, p. 1162)

40. “Identifiable office or program” within CMS to “provide for improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid in the case of dual eligibles” (Section 1905, p. 1191)

41. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 1907, p. 1198)

42. Public Health Investment Fund (Section 2002, p. 1214)

43. Scholarships for service in health professional needs areas (Section 2211, p. 1224)

44. Program for training medical residents in community-based settings (Section 2214, p. 1236)

45. Grant program for training in dentistry programs (Section 2215, p. 1240)

46. Public Health Workforce Corps (Section 2231, p. 1253)

47. Public health workforce scholarship program (Section 2231, p. 1254)

48. Public health workforce loan forgiveness program (Section 2231, p. 1258)

49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)

50. Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment (Section 2261, p. 1275)

51. Prevention and Wellness Trust (Section 2301, p. 1286)

52. Clinical Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1295)

53. Community Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1301)

54. Grant program for community prevention and wellness research (Section 2301, p. 1305)

55. Grant program for research and demonstration projects related to wellness incentives (Section 2301, p. 1305)

56. Grant program for community prevention and wellness services (Section 2301, p. 1308)

57. Grant program for public health infrastructure (Section 2301, p. 1313)

58. Center for Quality Improvement (Section 2401, p. 1322)

59. Assistant Secretary for Health Information (Section 2402, p. 1330)

60. Grant program to support the operation of school-based health clinics (Section 2511, p. 1352)

61. Grant program for nurse-managed health centers (Section 2512, p. 1361)

62. Grants for labor-management programs for nursing training (Section 2521, p. 1372)

63. Grant program for interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training (Section 2522, p. 1382)

64. “No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza” demonstration grant program (Section 2524, p. 1391)

65. Healthy Teen Initiative grant program regarding teen pregnancy (Section 2526, p. 1398)

66. Grant program for interdisciplinary training, education, and services for individuals with autism (Section 2527(a), p. 1402)

67. University centers for excellence in developmental disabilities education (Section 2527(b), p. 1410)

68. Grant program to implement medication therapy management services (Section 2528, p. 1412)

69. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors in underserved communities (Section 2530, p. 1422)

70. Grant program for State alternative medical liability laws (Section 2531, p. 1431)

71. Grant program to develop infant mortality programs (Section 2532, p. 1433)

72. Grant program to prepare secondary school students for careers in health professions (Section 2533, p. 1437)

73. Grant program for community-based collaborative care (Section 2534, p. 1440)

74. Grant program for community-based overweight and obesity prevention (Section 2535, p. 1457)

75. Grant program for reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in primary and secondary schools (Section 2536, p. 1462)

76. Demonstration project of grants to medical-legal partnerships (Section 2537, p. 1464)

77. Center for Emergency Care under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (Section 2552, p. 1478)

78. Council for Emergency Care (Section 2552, p 1479)

79. Grant program to support demonstration programs that design and implement regionalized emergency care systems (Section 2553, p. 1480)

80. Grant program to assist veterans who wish to become emergency medical technicians upon discharge (Section 2554, p. 1487)

81. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 2562, p. 1494)

82. National Medical Device Registry (Section 2571, p. 1501)

83. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 2581, p. 1597)

84. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 2581, p. 1598)

85. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 2581, p. 1602)

86. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1610)

87. National Women’s Health Information Center (Section 2588, p. 1611)

88. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1614)

89. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women’s Health and Gender-Based Research (Section 2588, p. 1617)

90. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1618)

91. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1621)

92. Personal Care Attendant Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 2589(a)(2), p. 1624)

93. Grant program for national health workforce online training (Section 2591, p. 1629)

94. Grant program to disseminate best practices on implementing health workforce investment programs (Section 2591, p. 1632)

95. Demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (Section 3101, p. 1717)

96. Demonstration program for substance abuse counselor educational curricula (Section 3101, p. 1719)

97. Program of Indian community education on mental illness (Section 3101, p. 1722)

98. Intergovernmental Task Force on Indian environmental and nuclear hazards (Section 3101, p. 1754)

99. Office of Indian Men’s Health (Section 3101, p. 1765)

100. Indian Health facilities appropriation advisory board (Section 3101, p. 1774)

101. Indian Health facilities needs assessment workgroup (Section 3101, p. 1775)

102. Indian Health Service tribal facilities joint venture demonstration projects (Section 3101, p. 1809)

103. Urban youth treatment center demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1873)

104. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for diabetes prevention (Section 3101, p. 1874)

105. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for health IT adoption (Section 3101, p. 1877)

106. Mental health technician training program (Section 3101, p. 1898)

107. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1909)

108. Program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators (Section 3101, p. 1925)

109. Program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (Section 3101, p. 1927)

110. Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1966)

111. Committee for the Establishment of the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1968)

112. Grant program for mental health and substance abuse screening (Manager’s Amendment, p. 31)

113. Centers for Disease Control Office of Minority Health (Manager’s Amendment, p. 35)

114. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Minority Health (Manager’s Amendment, p. 35)

115. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Minority Health (Manager’s Amendment, p. 36)

116. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Minority Health (Manager’s Amendment, p. 36)

117. Food and Drug Administration Office of Minority Health (Manager’s Amendment, p. 36)

118. Outreach program to increase awareness of diabetes screening benefits (Manager’s Amendment, p. 39)

Strickland and Details

You know the 527 Media is still in the tank for Democrats when they let fat pitches right down Broadway like this one go without even swinging the bat...

"Strickland insists that he provided detailed plans when he ran in 2006 and that 'no one should strive to be the governor of Ohio without being willing to be specific about what they intend to do with that office.'

COME ON! Seriously, Columbus Dispatch...you have GOT to be kidding. Here is stuff from YOUR OWN PAPER refuting that nonsense:

"He provided no details, and asked afterward when he would unveil those details, Strickland said, 'I will do that if I win this election.'" (The Columbus Dispatch, 8/18/06)

"Critics say that on some of the most important issues facing Ohio, including education and taxes, Strickland, enjoying a lead in the polls, has so far avoided providing many specifics." (Columbus Dispatch, 8/27/06)

"John Green, director of the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss School of Applied Politics, said it appears that Strickland has been vague on some controversial issues." (Columbus Dispatch, 8/27/06)

"So far, Strickland has played it safe, eschewing sweeping proposals for fixing Ohio's economy and schools in favor of a series of relative baby steps encompassed in his 'Turnaround Ohio' plan." (Joe "The Hack" Hallett, The Columbus Dispatch, 9/3/06)

And that's just the Columbus Dispatch!

Remember this, folks, when Democrats say that they have a secret plan that will be revealed only if you elect them, they are -- in fact -- lying.

ATHENS UPDATE: Gwinn & Co. Remain Defiant

Every time I get stunned at GOP arrogance, I have to remind myself that the Republicans are the amateurs on that particular stage. Ohio Democrats are the real professionals when it comes to tin eared, blatant hypocrisy and arrogance. The nerve of these people is amazing.

Yesterday, it was reported that Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern called the $5 a Vote scam a stupid scheme and asked for the resignation of the Athens County Chair, a woman already under indictment for other crimes in office. What do Athens County Democrats do? They double down...and call for Redfern's resignation.

Nate Nelson has that story at Nate, Uncensored.

Butler County GOP: Retherford for Commission Campaign Flyer

Retherford Campaign Brochure 2

2009 Election Recap

The Good:

Republican governors in Virginia and New Jersey

Republican mayor in Dayton. Congrats Mr. Mayor-Elect Gary Leitzell

David Esrati loses again...this time for Dayton City Commission.

Mayor D'Epifanio re-elected here in Fairfield

The good people of Allen County repealed a tax increase put in place by Republicans in that county. Congrats to SOB Alliance member Mark Vernik for his victory on this one!

The Bad:

Mayor Mallory re-elected in the city of Cincinnati. Brad Wenstrup was a surprisingly good candidate, but Cincinnati is a lost cause.

It doesn't look like the face of Cincinnati City Council changed...

Hoffman's loss in NY-23. That seat will be in play again and the NRCC will STILL find a way to screw it up.

Friend of the Show Scott Spradlin lost his race to be Union Township Trustee...better luck next time Scott!

The Mixed Bag:

Issue 1 passed. Our veterans deserve every benefit we can give them, but we really can't afford this one at this time.

Issue 2 passed. It is an expansion of government. And it won't hold off HSUS and PETA from trying to make it worse. But our farmers got what they wanted.

Issue 3 passed. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than previous attempt at bringing gambling to Ohio. The best part is seeing that LiarPAC loses.

What is wrong with the Republican Party- Part 2

This is the big one... PRINCIPLES and VALUES! Thats right, we use to have them, some of us still do, but the one's who write the laws, vote on the bills, pass the resolutions, well a majority of them have seem to left them at home. Even though this is the big one, its the simple one.
In his speech to CPAC in 1975 the great Ronald Reagan said, "Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people" He then went on to list fundemental elements that Conservatives should stand on. These principles were...
-Fiscal Integrity, sound money and the retirement of the national debt
-Permenent limits on the amount of money the govt can take from someone
-Simplification of the tax code
-Free Markets will always be the best provider for the people
-Stop the over-regulation of businesses which slow and sometimes stop growth
-Ward of socialism and promote private ownership of business
-We have the responsibility to protect our LAW ABIDING CITIZENS
-Maintaining whatever level of strength is neccessary to preserve freedom
He then went on to conclude his speech with, "I do not believe I have proposed anything that is contrary to what has been considered Republican principle. It is at the same time the very basis of conservatism. It is time to reassert that principle and raise it to full view. And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles, then let them go their way"
"LET THEM GO THEIR OWN WAY!" What a powerful statement. Unfortunitely we have left that. What use to be the Reagan rule, "If they get 8 out of 10 right, then thats doing good" became the "Big Tent" rule of "3 or 4 out of 10 works good enough" That rule led to Olympia Snowe, Arlen Spector and others.
We, as Republicans, for too long have allowed our Republican Office Holders (side note: this does not apply to every Rep Office holder, but an increasing majority of them) to move away from the principles.
With the election of Obama in Nov 08, a lot of these Republicans have started to find their way back to those values, but only time, and a majority will tell whether or not they will stick to them. For the sake of this country and the sake of the party I hope we will.
Over the next few years we need to start weeding out these officials who do not believe in the principles. We then must find truly conservative candidates that are willing to serve and hold these principles and can actually relate and relay to the general public why those policies work for all.
We must stand up and start shaking it up and we must do it now. It must start at the local level with county, city and township offices and work its way up to state then federal offices. I want to change one thing to what Ronald Reagan said. If we have Republicans who are not willing to stick to these values and principles, then we must make them "go their own way"

Voinovich on Issue 6 Passage

Statement:

“I want to congratulate the bipartisan leadership group that banded together to take the future of Cuyahoga County into their own hands. I am pleased that the voters of Cuyahoga County responded to their call for action. They know that the ship is sinking, and the passage of Issue 6 will ensure another vessel is in place to move this county forward. Establishing a new form of county government will demand that the community come together to make it successful. As a lifelong resident of Cuyahoga County, a 5-year county auditor, a 2-year county commissioner, and as mayor of Cleveland for 10 years, I intend to do all I can to work with the committee to make this transition work. Together we can do it! Finally, words cannot adequately express my true appreciation to the Cleveland Plain Dealer for their leadership on this vital issue.”

ATHENS UPDATE: OU College Republicans Respond to Redfern

Release:

The Ohio University College Republicans applaud the statement of Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern regarding the current vote bounty controversy. Chairman Redfern stated: “The Ohio Democratic Party had no role in this stupid idea, and I urge Athens County Chairwoman Susan Gwinn to suspend the program immediately and not issue any payments that may have been planned. I call for a complete investigation and prosecution for any wrongdoing in this case.” The Ohio University College Republicans endorse Redfern’s call for embattled Athens County Chairwoman Susan Gwinn and the Ohio University College Democrats to suspend the program and conduct a full investigation into the matter.

Furthermore, in light of the recent revelations, the College Republicans are concerned about prior instances of this votes-for-cash bounty program. During the 2008 election in the 92nd Ohio House District, Republican candidate and Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson lost to the current representative Democrat Debbie Phillips by less than 600 votes. The College Republicans hope that a full investigation will reveal whether or not the College Democrats implemented a similar program during the 2008 election.

Christine Fahl, the candidate for Athens City Council 4th Ward who was to be the potential benefactor of the fraudulent votes, played a major role in Debbie Phillips’s 2008 campaign.

The Ohio University College Republicans will continue to meet, and ask for the involvement of, the university administration, local law enforcement, and state-wide election officials. In addition to the potential criminal acts, the OUCR’s believe that the College Democrats have violated the university’s Computer and Network Use policy, and will be filing charges with the judiciaries to that effect. It is the club’s hope that a thorough investigation of all these charges will help restore confidence in the sanctity of local elections.

DSCC "All But Endorses" Fisher Over Brunner

Hey kids, check this out...even the tools at the DSCC think Jenny Brunner is toast.

Of course, as per usual with "professional" politicos, it's all about the Benjamins.

When Chuck asked Menendez about key Senate pick-up opportunities for Democrats next year, the chairman singled out Ohio and Fisher. But he barely referred to Brunner, and didn't even mention her by name.

When Chuck followed up and mentioned Brunner's name, Menendez responded that she has just over $100,000 cash on hand. By comparison, Fisher has nearly $1.6 million cash on hand.

No mention what so ever about the Fisher Gun Show though...

ATHENS UPDATE: Redfern's Stupid and Phillips' Trouble

Two items you may or may not be aware of as an update to the $5 a vote scheme going on in Athens county with the College Democrats...

Somebody finally got around to asking Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern what he thought of the scheme. How dumb do you have to be for Redfern to call you "stupid"? Now we know...

It turns out that this scheme may have been around in 2008 as well. What does this mean for State Rep. Debbie Phillips who may have known about the program? It may mean that she would have to resign... RUT-ROH! She only won by about 500 votes...

UPDATE: OhioGOP Chariman DeWine calls on Gov Strickland to demand the resignation of Athens County Democratic Party chair.

ATHENS UPDATE: $5 a Vote Edition

Check this out from the OU College Democrats:

Hello all you darling Dems!

Just a reminder that today we will be *MARCHING TO THE POLLS* at *1PM*! We
will be meeting outside the *4TH FLOOR OF BAKER*. If you have not voted yet
please come on out and *bring some friends* in the same situation. If you
have already voted, we'd love to see your lovely faces cheering down Court
St. too! Remember, if you bring a friend from 4th ward they are more then a
friend, they're 5 bucks! Remember, if you didn't sign up you can still come
out! The more the better!

After we all vote it would be great to keep up the momentum for canvassing
through East Green at 2pm and 3pm.

Remember to bring your license to the polls!

Thanks for all your support and dedication everyone! 4 more days!!!

-Kellie
--
Vice President, Ohio University College Democrats

Emphasis added.

A voter in Athens is worth $5...but only if they vote Democrat... Did they learn this trick from their friends in ACORN or the Democratic Party?

Where is the 527 Media? Absent as per usual...

UPDATE: My good friend Jesse Hathaway has more at Athens Runaway...

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: Email Wars Edition

Here is a release from the Butler County Republican Party regarding the emails that have been hitting inboxes the last few days:

Butler County, OH - The Butler County Republican Party is denouncing e-mails that were sent to a large number of its membership and County residents this past Friday (10/30/09 approx. 3pm ET) and on Sunday (11/01/09 approx. 4pm ET). Neither of the e-mails were authorized or sent by the Party.

Someone claiming to be the ‘Butler County GOP’ and ‘Real ButlerCty GOP’ sent mass e-mails from two Gmail accounts and used the subject lines ‘Butler County GOP News’ and ‘Butler GOP short video’. The sender attempted to mask their identity and provided no name. The content of the first message consisted mostly of an attached copy of a recent blog post from a local political opinion blog. The second message contained an old video attachment from Channel 12 WKRC.

The Butler County Republican Party does offer a voluntary subscription to occasional e-mail updates. However, the e-mail addresses are kept confidential to avoid abuse and to respect the privacy of its members and others in the community that want official communication from the Party. Those addresses have never been sold, distributed or made public for any reason.

Executive Chairman Tom Ellis explains, “Someone is deceiving our membership by sending these unsolicited e-mails. That isn’t acceptable in business and will not be tolerated by our Party. We will protect our members, our community, and the GOP brand. We are investigating these incidents and pursuing every avenue, including legal remedies. This attempted deceit will stop.”

I support the Chairman on this issue 100%.

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: Sheriff Jones and the Tea Party Express

Hey Tea Partyers! Read this and let us know what you think...

Personally, I think a guy who runs a department that gets more than a quarter of the total budget ought to be able to find some ways to trim the fat...and I'm not talking about eating at Subway and hitting the treadmill.

How about that helicopter? Does Butler County really need an air force?

How about the boat? Does Butler County really need a navy?

How about the horses? Does Butler County need a cavalry?

Fiscal conservatism means reducing spending particularly in a time of economic trouble. When is Sheriff Jones going to realize that just because he throws a fit, that doesn't change the numbers?

TIB Radio Announcement

The TIB Radio Network is announcing that last week's TIB All Stars Show was scheduled to be the last show of the year for Tom, Matt and Mark. However, we do have some new programming in the works to tell you about.

TIB ALL STARS:

The All Stars will be back in 2010. Tom Blumer, Matt Hurley, and Mark G. will be back for season four of the internet radio sensation.

WMD PROGRAM:

Mark and Matt will be back on FRIDAY NIGHTS starting next week from 6 until 8 with an optional third hour. This show will feature some "wacky" radio bits and some special guests.

RADIO FREE BUTLER COUNTY:

Matt will go solo but this show is still in the early production stages. More on this as it develops.

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: Special Prosecutor Edition

To fully understand where we are, we have to examine where we've been so let's all jump in to the Way Back Machine for a little trip back to 2007 for a recap of the Mosketti Incident.

Carole Mosketti was the County Treasurer. She hired her granddaughter in clear violation of the state anti-nepotism laws. To tell that story, let's go to the press release from the Ohio Ethics Commission:

Butler County Treasurer Carole B. Mosketti entered a guilty plea on May 17, 2007, to a Bill of Information filed by Special Prosecutor Lynn Grimshaw in Butler County Common Pleas Court, alleging a conflict of interest in hiring her family member. As a result of an Ethics Commission investigation, Mosketti admitted that she unlawfully used her authority as Treasurer to hire her granddaughter, Heather Maus, as a part-time employee at the Butler County Treasurer's Office from December 21, 2004, and continuing until June 7, 2007, and paying her $3,800.

Judge Matthew Crehan sentenced Mosketti to pay the maximum fine of $1000 and also court costs. As part of the plea agreement with the Special Prosecutor, Mosketti also agreed to resign from office effective May 31, 2007. She had previously made full restitution to the County of $4,166.76, which was the total amount that the County paid Maus. (Maus worked at the County Records Center just prior to being hired by Mosketti.) Maus resigned from the Treasurer's Office on June 7, 2006.

Okay, so what's this bit about a Special Prosecutor? We read on...

Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper requested on June 19, 2007 that the Commission investigate whether Mosketti violated the ethics law by hiring her granddaughter as a part-time employee, based upon information received by his office from the County Auditor. On October 27, 2006, Piper requested that the Butler County Common Pleas Court appoint Lynn Grimshaw as a Special Prosecutor and Paul M. Nick, the Commission's Chief Investigative Attorney, as an Assistant Special Prosecutor, to prosecute any felony or misdemeanor charges based upon the Commission's investigation. The charges filed today are the result of negotiations between the Special Prosecutor and Mosketti's counsel, Jack Garretson.

...

The ethics conflict of interest charge is first degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. The Ethics Law protects the public from improper conflicts of interest by prohibiting public officials and employees from misusing their public positions or participating in actions to benefit family members, themselves, or their private business.

So what does this have to do with our current situation? Let's not forget what got us in to this mess in the first place. Commissioner Jolivette has been accused of hiring family members for part-time jobs with the county.

The question is: Why hasn't Robin Piper asked for a Special Prosecutor?

The legal answer is: Jolivette didn't do what Mosketti did.

The political answer is: Leaving Jolivette in the race so he can get thumped strengthens the position of those who want to control the budget.

Let's break that down starting with the legal answer.

We need to bring in the Ohio Ethics Commissions document (PDF) on the subject, specifically Section IV, paragraphs 3 and 4:

An official has “authorized” the employment of a family member when the employment could not have been awarded without the approval of the official. In other words, under this section, an official is prohibited from making the final decision about whether a family member should be hired. For example, an official is prohibited from voting to hire a family member.

If the official makes the final hiring decisions for the public agency she serves, her family members cannot be employed by the public agency. For example, a county office holder cannot hire a family member and cannot delegate the authority to hire her family members to a subordinate employee, which means that her family members cannot be hired by her office. However, a person who worked in the office before her relative is elected is not prohibited from continuing to work for the office, as long as the terms and conditions of her employment are not changed through promotion or other actions described below.

The distinction is that Jolivette was one of three people making the decision in which his vote didn't actually decide whether or not his kids would get hired. Mosketti was the sole voice in the decision to hire her grandchild.

Has Jolivette violated the spirit of the law? I think so, but I don't think he did so intentionally. Having seen with my own eyes how the agendas were laid out back in the day, it is very easy for a Commissioner to not know who specifically was being hired on a particular vote. The agenda process has since been updated to include the names of those effected by the vote, but at the time only the department or agency was listed.

There are other reasons for not supporting Jolivette for re-election but I don't believe this is one of them.

Now, the political reasons for not appointing a Special Prosecutor...

By keeping Jolivette politically viable heading in to endorsements and the primary helps Robin's Good Ole Boys Club. They need to strengthen their position by soundly defeating Jolivette. What this does is give the Club a dude that they can point to and say, "We eliminated corruption." Never mind the fact that Jolivette hadn't actually violated the law.

Plus, this is a numbers game. Keeping Jolivette around does two things: it keeps the number required to come out on top lower; and, it supposedly keeps the Hamilton people from aligning with other candidates.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

I'm not a lawyer, and I don't play one on the internet. My analysis is based on having read the documentation and reading the stories of the allegations. That's it. There may be more or less information regarding the Jolivette Situation that I am not privy to at this time.

And, I am not afraid to be wrong...it has happened before and it will probably happen again. That's why I encourage folks to make up their own minds once they have the facts in hand. We need to start asking questions and seeing what answers we receive.

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: The Shelton Maneuver

I'm sure this has been standard practice in Butler County for decades, but I will call it the Shelton Maneuver since that is who I first witnessed practicing this particular method of political retribution.

Emails and phone calls are now going out saying that if people want to have a future in politics in Butler County they had better distance themselves from me.

This is pathetic, but that is Butler County GOP politics for you...

So let me lay out the choice for anyone who gets this call or email.

Make your choice. It is me or them. I am not that well known in the party, but I am one of the few people willing to speak truth to power.

It is okay if you choose them. But realize what you are choosing. If you want the same old politics as usual with the nepotism, corruption and intimidation then side with them. I don't want you on my team anyway.

But if you want a fresh start in Butler County Republican politics, then join my team.

So send me your emails. Tell me about the phone calls you are getting. The only way to stop this insanity is to expose it. And since I am already in the proverbial doghouse with these peeps, I got nothing else to lose. Not that that would have stopped me anyway.

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: About That Email...

At some point today, someone using the email address butlerctygop@gmail.com sent out a blast with copies of three posts under the WMD banner.

I was not consulted. I have no idea who sent the email. The email was not sanctioned by me. And I don't believe it was sanctioned by the Butler County Republican Party.

If I were to send out an email, I would use my own name. Also, I wouldn't put the whole post in the email either. I would tease it and give you a link to the spot where you could find it on WMD. Why? Because I'm in the "business" of getting traffic to WMD... If I am giving away the whole story in an email, you aren't coming here for that content...and I want you to come here!

While I appreciate that whomever sent this email blast out agrees with what I have to say, I really wish they had done it a bit differently...

BUTLER COUNTY UPDATE: Boys Club Revisited

I have a few outstanding items that I need to address on this issue since folks have had a chance to talk about it...

Chris Wunnenberg insisted that I "check my facts" in his adversarial and confrontational denial. "Check your facts" is typically Politician for "You are right!" so I'm not sure how to take Chris at this point. Particularly since he is such a bad politician...

Gary Cates took the road that most sincere people take. In his denial, he actually spent time explaining that he beilieves in the integrity of the system. I think he genuinely believes that and until there is more solid evidence presented that classifies him as a Member in Good Standing of the Butler County Good Ole Boys Club ("No Girls Allowed!"), I think it is fair to clear him at this point.

My spies tell me that they saw Jose Alvarez yucking it up with disgraced former Auditor Kay Rogers this week at the O'Tucks event in Hamilton. Seriously, Jose, this is not the kind of person you want to be caught associating with if you really want to be a Butler County Commissioner... Are you even aware of the news???

UPDATE: I forgot that I wanted to add a little something about why I posted this stuff in the first place...

As a member of the Central Committee, I get lots of calls and letters from elected officials, party chieftains, campaign staffers, and other interested people. Typically, if you see it on WMD then I have heard it at least twice at the minimum and usually significantly more than that.

My motivation for writing the piece and making such an issue out of it is that we are all hearing this stuff but we aren't actually talking about it. The only we we are ever going to rid Butler County of the bad apples is to expose them for who and what they are. We aren't going to do that if we don't talk about it.

I tend to have to say this over and over again, so if you've read this bit before, please forgive me. I am NOT a journalist. I'm a blogger. There are no layers of editors making decisions about what I can and can not say. What you see on WMD is the result of the choices and thinking on the part of the individual contributors. We each have set our own standards for what we are willing to put our names on... Our integrity is on the line every time we click the "publish" button, so you should know that when I say that such and such is what I believe...or this is what I know...then you can and should hold me accountable for that. Politics is a dificult field to write about because people lie all the time. All I can do is give you folks the best "read" of the situation that I can.

Lastly, the last thing I ever want to be accused of is that I am trying to convince you to think any given way. I write what I write because I want you to know where I am coming from...but you should make up your own minds.

Keep the faith, people...we are winning!

Fox Indicted - Snoopys Dance

I have been away today on personal business, but I did give out a shout of glee today when I heard the news. It was a bright spot in an otherwise really sad day for me.

Stories from Intrepid Reporter Josh and his Faithful Sidekick Dave are here and here.

We have a LONG trial ahead...but I simply can not resist a little Victory Dance or twelve, so without further adieu I present the Dancing Snoopys!!!



Thank you Chuck Furmon...this one is for you!

Thomas Sowell: Obama is Dismantling America

I guess some Air America African American radio show host will call this distinguished gentleman a porch slave or house slave next as they did to the normally liberal Juan Williams a couple of weeks ago. However, Dr. Sowell is a profound thinker, and one who should be paid attention to:

Just one year ago, would you have believed that an unelected government official, not even a Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate but simply one of the many 'czars' appointed by the President, could arbitrarily cut the pay of executives in private businesses by 50 percent or 90 percent? Did you think that another 'czar' would be talking about restricting talk radio? That there would be plans afloat to subsidize newspapers -- that is, to create a situation where some newspapers' survival would depend on the government liking what they publish? Did you imagine that anyone would even be talking about having a panel of so-called 'experts' deciding who could and could not get life-saving medical treatments?

"Scary as that is from a medical standpoint, it is also chilling from the standpoint of freedom. If you have a mother who needs a heart operation or a child with some dire medical condition, how free would you feel to speak out against an administration that has the power to make life and death decisions about your loved ones? Does any of this sound like America? How about a federal agency giving school children material to enlist them on the side of the president? Merely being assigned to sing his praises in class is apparently not enough. How much of America would be left if the federal government continued on this path? President Obama has already floated the idea of a national police force, something we have done without for more than two centuries.

"We already have local police forces all across the country and military forces for national defense, as well as the FBI for federal crimes and the National Guard for local emergencies. What would be the role of a national police force created by Barack Obama, with all its leaders appointed by him? It would seem more like the brown shirts of dictators than like anything American. How far the President will go depends of course on how much resistance he meets. But the direction in which he is trying to go tells us more than all his rhetoric or media spin. Barack Obama has not only said that he is out to 'change the United States of America,' the people he has been associated with for years have expressed in words and deeds their hostility to the values, the principles and the people of this country. Jeremiah Wright said it with words: 'God damn America!' Bill Ayers said it with bombs that he planted. Community activist goons have said it with their contempt for the rights of other people.

These things are all on the record and have been shown time and again. When exactly can we hold the President to his own statements as well as his admonishment to "judge him by whom he gains counsel from"? But wait, there is more:

Among the people appointed as czars by President Obama have been people who have praised enemy dictators like Mao, who have seen the public schools as places to promote sexual practices contrary to the values of most Americans, to a captive audience of children. Those who say that the Obama administration should have investigated those people more thoroughly before appointing them are missing the point completely. Why should we assume that Barack Obama didn't know what such people were like, when he has been associating with precisely these kinds of people for decades before he reached the White House? Nothing is more consistent with his lifelong patterns than putting such people in government -- people who reject American values, resent Americans in general and successful Americans in particular, as well as resenting America's influence in the world.

That part I highlighted in bold is key. Obama knows these people! He thinks you are too stupid to check up on them, or that you will simply believe his excuses. He doesn't care what you think, he is all about being an agent or revolution, an agent of "creative destruction" as some of the more radicals in the 1960s called it, folks like Bernadine Dorne who praised the Manson family murders. Folks like her husband Bill Ayers who along with Dorne have been supporters and advisers to Obama for decades. All of these people fit his profile and his words and deeds. He doesn't want a strong America, he wants a strong American government that will be lord and master of all its resources and people.

Any miscalculation on his part would be in not thinking that others would discover what these stealth appointees were like. Had it not been for the Fox News Channel, these stealth appointees might have remained unexposed for what they are. Fox News is now high on the administration's enemies list.

Nothing so epitomizes President Obama's own contempt for American values and traditions like trying to ram two bills through Congress in his first year-- each bill more than a thousand pages long-- too fast for either of them to be read, much less discussed. That he succeeded only the first time says that some people are starting to wake up. Whether enough people will wake up in time to keep America from being dismantled, piece by piece, is another question-- and the biggest question for this generation.

Let's hope we are not too late....

God bless America....