(Included in photo:  Tom Long, Chairman Queens Conservative Party, State Assembly candidates, Alex Powiertrzynski and Donna Marie Caltabiano, and Candidate for U.S. Congress Bob Turner)

Editor’s Note: The following article was published at RaquelOkyay.com in time for the November 2010 Election.  Bob Turner is again running for U.S. Congress, District 9.  A special election has been scheduled for Sept. 13.  He had my support last year, he has my support now.  Good luck, Bob!

UPDATE: Telephone interview with Bob Turner is scheduled! Check back at RaquelOkyay.com for new endorsement coming up soon.  Thank you.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, the perennial advocate of the nanny-state, is seeking re-election as your Congressman – that is if you reside at New York’s District 9 which represents parts of Queens and Kings County.   Weiner, with 11 years in Congress under his belt, has routinely fought for and was instrumental in implementing tax after tax, fee after fee, until a bloated government that dictates business practices, regulates health care, and subsidizes the banking industry, is destroying the economy.  Let’s face it, Weiner is an unapologetic tax, borrow and spend liberal, it is time for him to go!

The entire U.S.A. is in revolt over high taxes and an overreaching government, and Weiner is on the campaign trail saying his big government ideas are right, and our ideas are wrong.  Perhaps he is not paying attention.  Americans delight in being the buyer and seller in a market place with unlimited capability.  As soon as the government “cracks-down” on the market process, the consumer loses because the consumer no longer enjoys the decision making process, representatives like Weiner do instead.

Bob Turner, Republican and Conservative Party candidate for U.S. Congress

Yes, Bob Turner can win! Queens is the most racially diverse county in the Nation with Brooklyn being number 2.  These are middle class neighborhoods that represent small business owners and homeowners who recognize that the higher the taxes, the more difficult it is to progress.  Turner says, “Business leaders in the Asian, Russian, and Jewish communities have welcomed my ideas for the kind of tax credits that spur business to grow and gives entrepreneurs confidence to reinvest.”

Bob Turner, a businessman and former CEO, is running for Congress because “it is a call to duty to get the job done,” Turner explains, “District 9 is about 30% liberal.  In areas that run through the district, Republicans elected 3 members to the New York City Council in the last election cycle because the people want a smarter approach with better results.”

Discussing priorities he would address if elected to Congress, Bob Turner says:

“I have no illusions that one person can solve all of the problems in Washington D.C.  I am confident, however, that anywhere from 70 to 90 new representatives in Congress can build a coalition to gain some standing.  I would immediately seek to change House rules to address earmarks that are inserted into bills without knowledge or scrutiny and also seek to repeal and defund the healthcare law.  Major steps must be taken to control a budget that takes in 2 ½ trillion yet spends 3 ½ trillion.”

Bob Turner recently received “several key endorsements”, one from Ed Cox, Chairman of the NYS Republican Party who said:

“Bob Turner has my complete support in the race for the 9th Congressional District.  As a business leader from the television industry, Bob Turner has started successful companies and knows how to create jobs.  Bob will be a check and balance to the career politicians in Washington.   Bob exemplifies what the American people are looking for right now in a representative.  He is an ethical businessman, a dedicated family man and a U.S. Army veteran, who has nothing to personally to gain by running for office. I consider this a very winnable race against the incumbent career politician, Congressman Anthony Weiner.”

Other endorsements include State Senator Marty Golden of Brooklyn, State Senator Frank Padavan of Queens, Crain Eaton, Brooklyn GOP Chairman, Queens City Councilman Dan Halloran and former State Senator Serf Maltese.

A vote for Bob Turner is not just a vote for those in District 9; it is also a vote for American ideals.  Everyone knows our country is headed in the wrong direction – this is the time, the place, and the election to change course.  Bob Turner will do everything in his power to be a representative for the people.  We can help Bob Turner get there by donating to his campaign, putting up a lawn sign, and spreading the word.  Bob Turner is a fine and capable man, send him to Congress now!

When it comes to politics it makes perfect sense to occasionally concede a battle if you wish to win the war in the end. Because New York has a Republican and Conservative Party, the right-leading voters often fight amongst themselves and lose the battle and the war. The Tea Party movement took the lead in the ranks of both parties bringing about conflict and in some cases, failed to play the game the way it should. It reminded me of a race in 2006 with the Democrats.

(Battle of Williamsburg)

In 2005, because of Term Limits, the Democratic Primary for my lower east side city council district featured eleven candidates. The second place finisher was a gentleman by the name of Brian Kavanagh, an aide to a Manhattan councilwoman from the upper west side. He came in second, behind the chief of staff for the councilwoman who represented the district they were running in. It would seem his political future for public office would be in doubt, since democrats dominated all of Manhattan’s legislative seats and waiting ones turn could take years. Unless you planned to go against the establishment your political future would appear bleak.

As luck would have it, that December, the Assemblyman of the area decided to resign and become a lobbyist mid-term. By doing this, it opened up a Special Election for the following February. Brian Kavanagh appeared to be the frontrunner among the media blogs and even he believed that this was a seat that was a sure victory. The district has a five-to-one democrat majority, but with Special Elections traditionally drawing a few thousand voters, it is possible that even a Republican could win the race.

State legislative Special Elections, like ones for a congressional race, do not have petitioning for ballot status parties. In order to get on the ballot you would simply need the support from the local county committee leaders, not the general public with petitioning. Kavanagh found out quickly that the local democratic leaders were not in his corner and that they were going to back a woman who has spent years as a local community activist and had the support from the Working Families Party.

Kavanagh found himself locked out of the Democrats and Working Families endorsement process. The other ballot line parties, the Republicans had their preferred candidate and the Conservative Party likes to run no one in Manhattan Special Elections. The remaining two options were the Independence Party or petition for his own independent line. A loyal Democrat, Brian Kavanagh chose to sit out the Special Election, since his party basically shut him out of the race. He also decided to open a committee to run for the Primary Election that would come six months later. It was this race that he felt he would shore up support within the Party and more importantly, win the support of the voters.

Sure enough, Kavanagh was able to claim victory in the Primary race and knock out the short-term incumbent and since has won re-election in the next two cycles quite easily.

I tell this story, because it is a strategy the Tea Party movement failed to pursue in New York’s 23rd congressional district. When Republican leaders met and opted to pick Dede Scozzafava as the designee, the conservative faction opposed the decision of their party leaders. Rather than sit out the Special Election and find a strong quality candidate for a Republican Primary later in the year, the Tea Party pushed a candidate on the Conservative Party line to make it a three way race. We all know the outcome. The battle was lost, forcing the war to drag on through the Primary and General Election cycles. When November 2nd came, Republicans lost the war in a district it should have clearly won. Imagine having ten of twenty-nine seats instead of eight and one pending if the right strategy was played?

We have to be wise with our political campaigns going forward, especially when it comes to Special Elections. Is this the right race to run in? Should we consider taking our time to plan a strategy for victory in a Primary or General Election instead? We need to really look at a situation and hope that another NY-23 does not happen. Six months of Scozzafava would not have mattered much if a strong candidate uniting the Republican and Conservative lines could take her down in a Primary Election. Losing one battle to win a war is far preferable.

Musically talented and politically savvy, Young Voters for an Orleans Reunion Tour are supporting Nan Hayworth for Congress because she supports them.

Since posting this video on YouTube, NY’s current District 19 representative John Hall sued the Young Voters in Court.

In addition to having to defend their right to free speech, Young Voters are involved in a back and forth with YouTube whether to host the video.

Here it is “Vote With Me” for you to enjoy without restriction!

Support Nan Hayworth – Doctor.Mother.Businesswoman.Congress.

Please wait for video to download.

(New York’s Congressional District 17 represents parts of Rockland, Westchester, and Bronx Counties)

Great result for tea party favorite, Congressional candidate, Anthony Melé, who won the Republican primary on September 14, but b-i-z-a-r-r-e process that took 14 days to announce the winner.  So bizarre that as of Thursday, September 30 at 11:00 PM, fully 16 days after the polls closed, NY1 continues to erroneously show York Kleinhandler, the loser in the race, in the lead by 153 votes!

It cost New York State $70 million to install a new system of paper ballots in order to make things easier, not more difficult to count the vote.  In fact, counting the 7,000 votes cast in District 17 is so easy a fifth grader can do it; my 17 year old son Joe can count 7,000 ballots in 15 minutes flat; or simple enough my extremely bright German Sheppard “Reiko” can count 7,000 ballots by sorting them with her nose.

What transpired here is not really about “counting” votes, we already know who won – Anthony Melé  – fair and square on primary day, the issue is whether a disappointed Republican and Conservative Party leadership, unethically caused county-election officials to stall the result for 14 days with the intent of changing things in their favor (a plan that never materialized).

If it not for Anthony Melé  who never gave up on the people’s vote and his lively supporters, the “hurricanes”, who never gave up on Anthony Melé, corrupt party bosses may have succeeded in pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes.  Suppressing the people’s vote is a Federal crime and more in line with “elections” in countries such as Chaves’ Venezuela and Castro’s Cuba.

An unfair District convention

Vincent Reda, Chair of the Republican Party in Rockland County, and State Vice Chair, orchestrated a phony Rockland County convention that was never intended to be fair.   Reda gave Anthony Melé delegates in Rockland County the wrong date for the convention on purpose so that a designation “win” for Kleinhandler would be inevitable.

In Westchester County, Republican Party Chair, Doug Colety, does not want to play fair either.  Three times Anthony Melé won the vote count at the Westchester County convention, but the nomination was given to Kleinhander, when the fourth and final vote count put him over the top with two delegates switching at the last minute.

In the Bronx, the Melé  For Congress campaign was not given access to the delegate count and was unable to verify votes, rendering such count unverifiable and meaningless.

All of these obstacles did not stop Anthony Melé  from collecting petitions from Republican voters to gain access to the Republican ballot.  When that was completed, Vincent Reda, et al. took Melé  to Court to push him off the Republican ballot still.  The Court rejected their pleas and ruled in favor of Anthony Melé (RaquelOkyay.com Aug. 9) :

“With the pound of the gavel, victory became attainable for outspoken patriot and Republican stalwart, Anthony “Tony” Melé, candidate for U.S. Congress – NY District 17.  At stake at the State Capitol Courthouse today was a contentious battle for petitions, ballot access, truths and untruths, and where Judge Colabella ruled, “Melé Stays on the Ballot!”

Unfortunately the primary race in District 17 was not a competition between two Republicans who stepped up to the plate to beat long time incumbent and liberal Democrat Rep. Eliot Engel, but really a campaign of smears, rumor and lies to push Anthony Melé  out of the primary race.  Since Anthony Melé  would not participate in party payoffs and promises of patronage jobs in exchange for Republican Party support, he would be rejected by Party leaders fearful of losing power and control.  It is the people who believed in Anthony Melé, and it is the people who provided victory.

Dispelling lies and rumors

Opponents of Anthony Melé created a dummy-website to accuse Tony of doctoring his Army service award and record.  None of it is true, as Tony’s accomplishments and record of service to America is crystal clear, and can be viewed at www.Melé ForCongress.com.

Opponents of Anthony Melé accuse him of being a racist for advocating statehood for Puerto Rico, and when Tony explains that, unbeknownst to many in the audience, Puerto Ricans are American citizens too, one Republican was aghast (and they want to call Tony a racist?).

Opponents of Anthony Melé  accuse him of “tampering” with ballots at a polling booth in Westchester on primary day.  Yet according to news reports the Yonkers Police Department and the District Attorney concluded there was no wrong doing or “tampering” of ballots.  Polling Officials, who themselves did not know which district they were in, provided emergency “write-in” ballots as a contingency so that Republicans who may be in Ward 3 – CD 17, who wished to vote, would not be disenfranchised.  It is that simple, no hoopla, no yelling, and no compromise in ethics.

Calling on York Kleinhandler to drop from the race

Even Kleinhandler admits that “it has been observed that if I stay in the race it will split the vote and guarantee a win for the Democrat incumbent,” yet stubbornly says he will remain in the race on the Conservative Party line (the only ballot left for him) rather than support the candidate Republican primary voters elected, Anthony Melé .

In District 17, there are only 3,801 registered Conservatives, compare that with the 49,629 registered Republicans, you will see that Republican voters outnumber Conservatives by a 13 to 1 margin.  By staying in this race, Kleinhandler disenfranchises tens of thousands of Republican voters, in an election cycle where Republicans have a chance to win.  TheHill.com reports on Sept. 28 that:

“…the Democratic Party is facing the biggest defeat in midterm elections in the past 110 years, perhaps surpassing the modern record of a 74-seat gain set in 1922.”

The time is now for York Kleinhandler to do the right thing for the Republican voters by choosing to support Anthony Melé  for US Congress.  Together we can pursue a formidable challenge to the Democrat controlled Congress that is bankrupting our Nation, and steadfastly moving away from — instead of embracing – the principles set forth in the US Constitution.  York Kleinhandler is completely aware as much as everyone else just what a spoiler is.  He can throw his support behind Melé or tell Republican voters that their choice on primary day means nothing, and that Eliot Engel ought to win. (No one likes a spoiler, Mr. Kleinhandler!)

Leave it to a suburb of NYC – Democrat, Rep. Nita Lowey (Congressional District 18 covering parts of Westchester and Rockland Counties), to continue to mislead the public about the “unfortunate misunderstandings” concerning ObamaCare at her government website.  One has to wonder whether Lowey is fooling herself, or trying to fool us.

Lowey says, “Health insurance reform is NOT a government takeover of health care.  Those who are happy with their coverage are free to keep their plans.”

WRONG: “ObamaCare won’t allow employees or most small businesses to keep the coverage they have and like. By Obama’s estimates, as many as 69 percent of employees, 80 percent of small businesses, and 64 percent of large businesses will be forced to change coverage, probably to more expensive plans. ” (Sept. 22 – Washington Examiner)

Lowey says, “Health insurance reform will NOT cut Medicare benefits. Reform will also aggressively eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse to extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund for future generations.”

WRONG:  “The Obama health law reduces future funding for Medicare by $575 Billion over the next decade.  Most of the Medicare cuts are made by slashing what hospitals, home care services and other institutions are paid to care for elderly patients.  In truth, only 1% of the cuts will come from fraud and abuse, the Congressional Budget Office estimates.” (McCaughey, Betsy, Obama Health Law: What it Says and How to Overturn It, pp 5-6, 2010)

Lowey says, “Health insurance reform will NOT force taxpayers to pay for abortion.”

WRONG:  “[Maryland and Pennsylvania] will use their existing high-risk insurance pools—which cover abortion—to administer the newly created federal high-risk plan mandated by the Democrat reform measure.   These states that already have local programs [that fund abortion] will get tens of millions of dollars from the federal government to offer [high risk/pre-existing] insurance coverage.  Pennsylvania will receive $160 million for its high-risk insurance pool and Maryland will get $85 million. Both plans will continue to cover abortion.” (June 19 – JudicialWatch.org)

Lowey says, “Health insurance reform will NOT add to the deficit.  Health insurance reform will reduce the federal deficit by more than $138 billion in the first ten years and more than $1.2 trillion in the second ten years after passage.”

WRONG:  “Even the White House’s own Medicare Actuary [Richard Foster] has acknowledged that ObamaCare will increase, not reduce, the amount the nation spends on health care over the law’s first 10 years.  Once one strips away all of the accounting tricks and budgetary gimmicks one finds, in the words of the former CBO director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, ‘The health care reform legislation would raise, not lower, federal deficits, by $562 billion.’ ” (Aug. 24 – NewsBusters.org) (For examples of “accounting tricks” see “Richard Foster for President” Aug. 8 – Wall Street Journal).

Exercising Term Limits by Your Vote

Oh how free market-loving, fiscally conservative-minded voters in District 18 would like to boot “Mrs. I keep repeating the same ObamaCare lies over and over” out of Congress.  They might not get their chance this year – thanks to Republican Jim Russell’s campaign taking a turn for the worse – when a “racist” essay written by Russell that was published in Occidental Quarterly close to 10 years ago, emerged.

Russell, due in part to his own poor public relation skills or maybe lack of conviction, has been more than tossed under the bus by the Republican Party that initially backed him, the press are treating him like the devil’s spawn (maybe for good reason) calling him a “kook” and a “bigot”.  See parts of interview-video of Russell on Richard French Live.

(I’m presuming) The GOP initially felt they had a candidate (in Russell) to mount a formidable campaign against Democrat Lowey, but was forced to disavow themselves from Russell due to the scathing reports about him:

“We’ve denounced his campaign,” Doug Colety [Westchester County GOP Chair] said. “We’re not supporting him. We’ve withdrawn funds, volunteers, all resources. This is not the way Republicans think.”

Chairman Colety further suggests he will work to legally remove Russell from the Republican Party ballot:

“Russell doesn’t have core Republican values, that’s what we’ll try, that will be our legal argument,” Colety said. “And if we can’t get his name off, we could probably find another candidate, run him as a write-in.” Tri-Cityherald.com

Whether Colety is sincere about actively supporting a new candidate, no one knows for sure.  What we do know, however, is that this election cycle is the year of the People’s vote.  In rejecting the liberal agenda set forth by Obama and Congressional Democrats, the people, also known as the sleeping giant — have awoken — and the time is now to effectuate term limits by our November vote, particularly on card carrying liberals like Lowey.  We need a candidate to do so.

Calling on all liberty minded, tea party patriots in Congressional District 18:  Do not wait for party leaders to act, find a credible candidate now, and mount a write-in campaign like no other in the State.  It is the only way to retire Lowey’s 22-term incumbent career.  It’s worth a shot!

By: Daniel Peterson

(Daniel Peterson is a former New York Young Republican Club president and has worked in real estate administration for the past ten years.  This article is cross posted from www.UrbanElephants.com.)

New York Daily News writer, Bill Hammond, wrote a scathing piece on Carl Paladino criticizing him for being business savvy and successful in upstate New York. It is also being featured in the latest Andrew Cuomo “attack” ad against Paladino. Obviously Mr. Hammond is not familiar with New York State north of Westchester, nor is he that familiar with real estate; otherwise he would not be so cynical in his piece.

A hundred years ago, Buffalo was “the 8th largest city in the country and went on to become a major railroad hub, the largest grain-milling center in the country, and the home of the largest steel-making operation in the world.” It was a blue-collar, industrial town contributing to the growing strength of American industry.

Today, the region’s largest economic sectors are health care and education, and these continue to grow despite the lagging national and worldwide economies.

A large number of people in Western New York are employed by Government and public entities. Large numbers of state employees are due to large state universities like State University of New York at Buffalo, State University of New York College at Buffalo and Erie Community College’s three campuses.  wikipedia.org

It’s almost as if Buffalo is trying to supplant Detroit as the national standard as a city destroyed brought on by powerful unions, government excess and unopposed liberalism.

Buffalo is still a beautiful city and it has lately been revitalizing its public places to attract tourism, but it still struggles to bring in big business to generate local revenue from the private sector. So if you are a businessman in the private sector, what do you do?

One of the biggest private industries would be real estate. Carl Paladino had to enter the field with a smart, calculating and manipulative approach in order to be successful. Real Estate isn’t easy in a city like Buffalo. Government has done everything it could to scare away private sector business, so the only thing left is the public sector. Paladino looked at the only option presented to him and that was to play the cards that were dealt to him.

In the Hammond Daily News piece, the columnist tries to suggest that Carl Paladino is an insider because he deals with government contracts and leases space to government agencies. If you are in real estate in a city like Buffalo and government makes the market so restrictive and costly, an entrepreneur in the free market will use all options afforded to him. Strangely, Bill Hammond attacks Paladino for taking advantage of Empire Zones and tax credits and all the breaks that government created for a businessman like Paladino. A man who chooses to remain upstate and keep business flowing in a struggling upstate economy! It’s liberal (or “progressive”) policies put forth by politicians Hammond supports that are responsible for “creating a monster like Paladino.” How dare Hammond attack him for using it to his advantage? Give me a break.

Hammond may have thought his article would explain what scum Carl Paladino is, but what it winds up doing is proving that government is dysfunctional in Albany, because its policies give a savvy businessman like Paladino an opportunity to use it to his benefit. If you want to fix Albany, then you elect someone like Carl Paladino and vote as many Albany incumbents out to reform the system.

Joe DioGuardi for U.S. Senate

Republican voters spoke loudly for Joe DioGuardi on primary day last week.  Joe DioGuardi is a man of the people we said, ready, willing and able to take on progressive Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in the general election November 2.  Recall Gillibrand was handpicked by Governor Paterson less than two years ago to be the Jr. US Senator of New York.  Since then, she has been supportive of every single liberal cause the Obama administration has set forth; ObamaCare, “stimulus” bills, auto/bank bail-outs, and reckless cap & trade legislation.

With enough momentum and support by concerned New Yorkers, Joe DioGuardi can see this through to victory.  Help Joe DioGuardi by telling your friends and neighbors that Joe is a small government, fiscal conservative, pro-life, pro-America; tell it like it is, Republican.   Joe DioGuardi is the kind of candidate we can all get behind.  Go Joe go!

Jay Townsend for U.S. Senate

Impressed by Jay’s command of the issues and candid demeanor, supporting Jay Townsend for US Senate came easy.  Here is New York’s chance to tell current Senator Chuck Schumer to go home – his long career in politics has hurt New Yorkers and Americans at large.  Positioning himself as the next Senate Majority Leader, Americans are in big trouble, they haven’t seen a progressive Democrat like Schumer in action.

Republicans and Conservatives can feel comfortable knowing Jay Townsend will take this battle to the end, and with a lot of effort, and some special prayers, New Yorkers have a unique opportunity to push Schumer out of office.  Support Jay Townsend for US Senate and make it happen!

Nan Hayworth for U.S. Congress

Anti-liberal incumbency clearly the fever, even the New York Times has Nan Hayworth beating incumbent Democrat John Hall.  Having the Republican, Conservative, and Independence party backing together with a huge following of supporters (check out Young Voters for Nan Hayworth), predicting a win for Nan Hayworth in Congressional District 19 is a no-brainer.  Now that would send a message from New York to Washington DC of “NO” to Obama Democrats and socialist style governance.

Republican Nan Hayworth has signed the “Contract from America” which asks the candidate to support the following measures:

Protect the Constitution, Reject cap & trade, Demand a balanced budget, Enact fundamental tax reform, Restore fiscal responsibility and limited government, End runaway government spending, Defund, repeal, and replace government run healthcare, pass an “all the above” energy policy, Stop the pork, and Stop the tax hikes.

Nan Hayworth is dedicated to bringing a much needed voice of sanity to the federal government; help her get there by supporting Nan Hayworth for US Congress in November.

Fran Becker for U.S. Congress

Republican primary voters in Nassau County be proud, you elected yourself a legislator and leader in the community who has spent his whole life working for the people of Nassau County.   A conservative at heart and in action, Fran has the likeability and determination to issue a “get out of Congress” card to another progressive Democrat, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.

(Rumor has it) McCarthy is a puppet to Rep. Charlie Rangel and Charlie Rangel-style politics (that’s the title for elected officials who think they are above the law), and a typical New York Democrat stuck in big government policies and big government spending.  Rangel, (currently suspended) head of the House Ways & Means committee, the committee responsible for writing tax law, is, well, cheating on his taxes, yet McCarthy supports him anyway.  Tell Washington DC enough is enough – support Republican Fran Becker for US Congress.

Greg Ball for State Senate

New York State Assemblyman Greg Ball is one politician to get behind and support.  Energetic and principled, Greg Ball has stormed Albany with an attitude that says “we work for the people” not for political expediency.  Overcoming a Republican and Conservative establishment that backed another candidate for State Senate, Greg Ball won in a landslide including the largest statewide write-in campaign securing the Conservative Party ballot.

When I called Greg Ball extraordinary in another post – I meant it.  Greg Ball is more than a leader; he’s a mover and a shaker in New York State politics, with a motivation that surpasses the norm.  Electing Greg Ball for State Senate in November is the right thing for New York – just do it.

Congressional District 17: Anthony Melé vs. York Kleinhandler

Unofficial results place tea party favorite Anthony Melé in a close lead against Republican party-backed York Kleinhandler for GOP ballot in the November election.   Choosing to actively support Anthony Melé for US Congress in this primary race has been a “cake-walk” for me.   Army Veteran, and security specialist, Anthony Melé quickly earned my support for his bold conviction to the US Constitution and fiercely independent and honest way.

Meeting opposition within his own party for being an outsider to party patronage and back room deals, Anthony Melé mounted a grassroots campaign like no other.  Anthony Melé steering, volunteers in tow, his “hurricane” motor home canvassing District 17 is a testament to the dedication of the Melé campaign.   Republican Anthony Melé offers solutions to a district and a nation upset with the lazy status quo.  My bet in this race is on Anthony Melé for a win and my daily Hail Mary’s are on him too!  (Best wishes Tony!)

(George Phillips, Candidate for US Congress District 22 Speaking at July Ulster Orange Tea Party)

By Caryn Sobel

The Ulster-Orange Tea Party members were addressed on July 8th by Warren Redlich (candidate for governor), George Phillips (Congressional candidate, 22nd district), Joseph DioGuardi (U.S. Senate candidate), and Gary Berntsen (U.S. Senate candidate). A common theme shared by all four was the need to cut waste in government, with solutions including the consolidation and/or elimination of bureaucracies and wasteful practices.

Warren Redlich, the Libertarian gubernatorial candidate seeking the Republican line, gave specific examples of waste in state government, e.g., the Commission of Correction and the Office for Technology. He mentioned the very high taxes New Yorkers pay, as well as additional “fees” added to traffic tickets, etc. Redlich pointed to the $3 billion per year in the state budget for “economic development,” and the role of crony capitalism in the less-than-optimal use of those resources. Redlich explained the details of his plan to cap public salaries at $100K per year, and public pensions at $75K per year.

George Phillips, running to replace Maurice Hinchey in the NY-22 congressional district, spoke about his experience in Washington, DC in the office of Congressman Chris Smith. The amount and variety of waste he saw helped him to formulate his plan to consolidate and eliminate government agencies and services. A major theme of Phillips’s campaign is the need for earmark reform; he gave concrete examples of Congressman Hinchey’s use of the earmark system. Phillips closed by encouraging the members to be part of Benjamin Franklin’s “rising sun” of America, referred to at the Constitutional Convention.

Joe DioGuardi, running to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in the U.S Senate, next explained how his experience as a CPA gave him a much-needed perspective on the issues facing our country. He traced the paths of some of the most dangerous of the economic threats we face, such as the Social Security liability of over $45 trillion, as well as the impact of the new finance “reform” legislation which exempts Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae from the accounting. DioGuardi spoke the stark language of a balance sheet, and clarified how the federal government and Congress are endangering the nation by not addressing these issues in the same manner.

Gary Berntsen, running for the U.S. Senate against Charles Schumer, agreed with the need for cutting government spending and size. He began by stating that he was in favor of cuts for all services except for Social Security, Medicare, and the VA. Berntsen went on to discuss the danger of our national borders being unsecured, and voiced his strong support of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s stand on immigration. H e explained what we need to do in order to secure our borders and then prevent illegal workers, including his support for e-verification. He discussed the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, and the prospects (or not) of imminent war.

All candidates were generous with their time for questions, and addressed a wide range of issues forthrightly.

With Obama at its helm, Democrat officials are committed to advancing a socialist-like, government consuming culture that shifts control and power from the individual to a massive and growing government. This government takes money away from the working man and redistributes it to others, causing others to become addicted to government hand-outs that moves- them to vote for the government that pays their way. Democrats clearly understand that the more services and funds that are doled-out, the more Democrats get voted into office.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. America is the home of the brave where “WE THE PEOPLE” are empowered by the protections provided in the U.S. Constitution, and are mostly unafraid to be masters of their own design, not slaves to a giving government. It is the ingenuity of the American people and the opportunities that are afforded in a free market that makes America exceptional, a uniqueness that few are willing to give up, and many are willing to fight for.

One of the thinkers behind America’s most famous document, Thomas Jefferson, once opined:

“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”

Good advice Schumer should comprehend, but never will, because he is of the mindset that says “I know how to spend your money better than you.” What sweet justice it would be if Schumer’s cozy position was not so cozy anymore?

Primary Race
(Editor’s note: Raquel Okyay has previously endorsed Jay Townsend in this race.)

Two qualified conservative Republicans, Jay Townsend, Conservative Party designee and Gary Berntsen, Republican Party designee, have both stepped-up to the plate to take down a U.S. Senator that has not only betrayed New York, but has betrayed America. (They both deserve credit.) This divided result will amount to a GOP primary race between the two on September 14.

Jay Townsend is a husband, father, and small businessman whose disgust with the course of our nation and decline of New York led him to enter the race for the United States Senate against Chuck Schumer. “Bureaucrats in Washington have an agenda to Europeanize America by penalizing business owners for success and confiscating wages.”

Gary Berntsen is a former Central Intelligence Agency officer and military Veteran whose specialty includes national security, border control and “an insurgent by training” mentality. Gary explains that, “We are in a real fight for survival with a looming $14 trillion dollar debt that will reach $20 trillion in five years.”

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Faithful Americans are organizing town forums meant to inform the public about the upcoming election and motivate them to vote. Most are hell- bent on sending a loud message to Washington D.C. that says “the party is over!”

New Yorkers: Do not let up, meet the two candidates in this race against Schumer, mark your calendar for the GOP primary, do your due diligence and make an informed choice.

Hudson Valley Patriots are hosting both candidates TOMORROW June 19 at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Kisco from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Cost is $30 — Hors d’oeuvres will be served and Cash Bar is available. (Much thanks to Lisa Douglas for organizing this.)

Ulster Orange Tea Party will be featuring Gary Berntsen on July 12 at the Plattekill Rod and Gun Club at 7:00 PM. (For more info please email me.)

Unseating Schumer

The difficulty in electing Republicans in New York is the wide disparity between registered Republicans and registered Democrats – Democrat registration being on top – this puts Republicans at a disadvantage from the get-go. Also problematic, is the larger population pool at down-state (NYC and suburbs) areas which wind up carrying a favored candidate to a win in a statewide election. These voters tend to be liberal-minded.

Call me an optimist, but even liberal-minded New Yorkers are concerned about the failures occurring in the Obama administration and are recognizing the downturn in the economy as a result of an overreaching government that’s out of money.

Schumer, best known for his special interest ties, nanny state addiction, and disregard for free speech, is more vulnerable than most think. One way or the other, together, LET’S TAKE SCHUMER OUT!

It is the same rallying cry from across the Nation – the People are in an uproar – Washington D.C. continues to ignore calls for restraint and Americans are more than displeased actually, from New York to Arizona, they are FED UP with the constant big brother minded, overreaching, out of money government, that every day comes up with a new plan which is both detrimental to the financial well being of America, AND conflicts with the demands of the U.S. Constitution meant to protect Americans from tyrannical government. Points of reference:

* Forcing socialized medicine by using false representations and mobster-like maneuvers;
* Failing to lead in an environmental crisis (gushing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico ) that has left Obama dumbfounded and wholly incompetent;
* Hording resources from the People based on hysterical and fraudulent “global warming” claims;
* Stealing money from the rich via taxes and regulation to redistribute wealth and weaken the economy;
* Borrowing money from Communist China to pay for socialist-style entitlement programs and spending bills;
* Meddling in Arizona State rights;
* Lambasting and undermining Israel our closest ally in the Middle East;
* Breaking deal with Poland (another ally) to strategically install missile defense shield;
* Attempts to limit speech by isolating and aggressively demoralizing detractors; and last but not least
* Using tax payer dollars to fund abortion at home and abroad.

DEMOCRAT CONGRESSMAN JOHN HALL SUPPORTS THE OBAMA AGENDA

John Hall called-in to the Michael Mazzariello radio show (WGNY in Newburgh) one day before a scheduled vote on the health care “reform” bill in March, and communicated that he would not vote against the People in the District, but would be voting for them. That same day a group of concerned citizens arrived at his office in Goshen to protest government takeover of healthcare.

Even though voters rejected the health care “reform” bill, Hall voted with the President not with the District. Either Hall thinks the People want socialized medicine and he is dead wrong or, he fully understands that the People do not want socialized medicine, but feels he knows better (truth is probably in the latter).

Vice President Joe Biden paid Hall a visit on June 1. LoHud.com reports, “Biden came to Bedford to praise Hall for supporting the administration’s major pieces of legislation.”

Making claims of responsible reform and creating jobs, Biden paints a picture of a recovering economy in his attempt to mask the underlying truth – the healthcare “reform” law will add billions of dollars in debt to an already indebted roll, and add millions of dollars in unfunded liability to the state of New York. For a Government that has tripled its debt in three years, it goes beyond the pale that it would keep spending money Americans cannot generate.

On June 6 in PostScript, New York Post writer Michael Tanner indicates the following:

$13,050,826,460,886.97 is the National Debt.

Actually, that’s just part of the debt we have dumped on future generations. That’s because most of what the government owes isn’t on the official books.

Social Security, for instance, faces unfunded liabilities of more than $15.8 sounds like a lot of money; it is dwarfed by Medicare’s looming budget shortfall of between $50 trillion and $100 trillion, depending on which accounting measure is used.

The Vice President did not travel to New York for nothing; Bedford is the hometown of Republican candidate Nan Hayworth, who is challenging Hall for the seat. The VP brings tidings because Democrats are worried that Hayworth, who is adamant in her opposition to big government spending, will win in November.

My choice for District 19

My original choice for Congress in a Republican primary was David McFadden. I liked David in the race because he outlined a good conservative, pro-life, pro-small business, pro-American, platform. I was encouraged knowing that a more conservative Republican candidate would motivate voters to go to the polls, a position I still hold.

Nan Hayworth, McFadden’s strongest opponent in the race for Party Designation, won the Republican vote by a super wide margin at 78.8%. McFadden coming in second place netted 16.5% and graciously (and as promised) dropped out of the race and afforded his supported proxies to Hayworth.

Indirect ties to abortion industry

Critical of Hayworth’s “pro-choice” stance, I initially expressed my distaste (at Political Blog and elsewhere) for Hayworth’s candidacy, and I also set forth a possible connection between an avid abortion lobby and Nan Hayworth, a candidate for U.S. Congress.

Dr. Scott Hayworth, Nan’s husband, is an OB/GYN Doctor who most likely performed abortions in the past and is Chair of the New York branch of the American Congress of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG), an organization that has set forth legislation that facilitates universal healthcare and non-restricted, global access to abortion. Dr. Hayworth has denied direct influence.

Nan Hayworth defends herself

Nan Hayworth explains that ACOG supports 41 Republican physicians running for office who are opposed to universal healthcare, and are both pro-life and pro-choice. “These members work closely together in deciding policy, and work as a group to change the mindset of the group at large – towards promoting a more innovative, market-driven, and expedient health care system,” Nan distinguishes herself as a “Repeal and Defeat Obamacare” Republican.

Hayworth expresses her personal opposition to partial birth abortion and tax payer funded abortions noting “not everyone at ACOG is supportive of its legislative goals.” Republican-minded physicians she says, “share common principles of free market and choice of physician’s conscience, not government controls and requirements.”

Vote for the Republican

What I would like to send in November is not just a message and hopefully a win for Republicans, but America needs a tidal wave of voters that says, “Enough is Enough!” Yes, Republicans are bad politicians too, no doubt, BUT it is the Democrats in charge who are actively supporting the nonsensical and dangerous actions of the Obama Whitehouse and who are beating the U.S. Constitution to death.

SUPPORTING NAN HAYWORTH FOR CONGRESS

It only takes a few moments to recognize that Nan Hayworth is a devoted wife and mother. She defends her “college sweetheart” husband with “Scott is a wonderful man who has delivered hundreds of babies,” with a sincerity that can only be true.

Nan Hayworth recognizes all of the points outlined above, and Hall is in support of all of the points outlined above. That is a clear and stark difference. Also assuring is Nan’s commitment to sit down with me to discuss important pro-life issues, while Hall wouldn’t give me the time of day.

District 19: Put the brakes on Obama’s out of control Congress and the socialist-style government he pursues, let’s get to work electing Republican candidates to Congress.

Nan: I hope you win!