The Becker Report
Volume III, Issue VIII
October 28, 2008
Published by:
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
www.BeckerGOP.com
mailto:John@BeckerGOP.com
www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm
Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County
GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Dr. Terry Johnson, Scioto County GOP
Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman
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Disclaimer
Nobody asked me to include this, but it seems like a good idea:
This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation.
I am fully and solely responsible for its' content. Although I strive for
accuracy, this is not "The Gospel according to John." Additionally, I
don't necessarily try to be "fair and balanced." After all, I didn't
get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy
consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my
motivations or how to get involved, see: What
is a Central Committee?
Prayers Needed
Tina Meranda appreciates all prayers.
Please keep Danny Bubp in your prayers while he serves our country in Iraq.
Pray that our nation does not have to suffer an "Obamination."
State Ballot Issues
Issue
#1 - To provide for earlier filing deadlines for statewide ballot issues
This seems reasonable. I'm planning to vote yes.
Issue #2 - To authorize the State to issue bonds to continue the Clean Ohio
program for environmental revitalization and conservation
I'll vote no. I'm always suspect when proponents tell you that "it won't
raise your taxes." The state will pay interest on the bonds. Interest
expense is paid via taxation.
Issue
#3 - To amend the constitution to protect private property rights in ground
water, lakes and other watercourses
I'm leaning toward voting yes.
Issue #4 - Mandatory Sick Days
Fortunately, the sick day issue will not appear on the ballot
Issue
#5 - Referendum on Legislation Making Changes to Check Cashing Lending,
Sometimes Known as "Payday Lending," Fees, Interest Rates and
Practices
Governor Strictland signed into law restrictions that (if upheld) will force the
payday lending industry, competition, and 6,000 jobs out of Ohio. Issue 5 is a
referendum on the suspended law. A "No" vote will overturn a key part
of the law, preserve 6,000 jobs, and allow the public to continue their right to
make personal choices regarding their finances. In short, the public currently
has the option to pay a $15 fee to obtain a $100 unsecured cash advance for a
two-week period. Although no interest is charged (only a $15 fee) it technically
calculates to 391 percent APR. Compare that $15 fee to multiple bounced check
charges, merchant fees, or a late payment penalty and those APRs could calculate
to well over 10,000 percent!
This is an issue I feel very strongly about. Please be pro-choice on financial
freedom and Vote "No" on issue 5.
http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/article.php?id=1111
http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/article.php?id=1135
http://ohioans4financialfreedom.com/
Issue
#6 - To Amend the Constitution by Initiative Petition for a Casino Near
Wilmington in Southwest Ohio and Distribute to All Ohio Counties a Tax on the
Casino
The Ohio Republican Party has taken a "Vote No" position on issue #6. I
strongly agree and endorse Voting "No" on
issue #6.
http://www.votenocasinos.com/
Election Info (Contested Races)
See Ohio Election Central for
candidate's positions on important issues.
Presidential Race
John McCain
2nd Congressional District US Congressional Race
Jean Schmidt
6th Congressional District US Congressional Race
Richard Stobbs
Ohio Supreme Court Race
Maureen O'Connor
Evelyn Stratton
Ohio Attorney General Race
Mike Crites
Ohio State Senate Race
Tom Niehaus
12th District Court of Appeals Race
Judge Robert Hendrickson
Judge Robert Ringland
10th District State Board of Education
Jeff Hardin
Clermont County
Ed Humphrey for Commissioner
Bob Proud for
Commissioner
Barb Wiedenbein for Clerk of
Courts
Debbie Clepper for
Recorder
Brown County
Rick Eagan for Commissioner
Gary Steele for Commissioner
Jessica Little for Prosecutor
Tina Meranda for Clerk of Courts
Amy Jo DeClaire for Recorder
Dwayne Wenninger for Sheriff
Scott Gusweiler for Court of Common Pleas
Adams County
Justin Cooper for Commissioner
Roger Rhonemus for Commissioner
Scioto County
George Crumm for
Commissioner
Doug Coleman for Commissioner
Loren Purdom for Recorder
Lawrence County
Jason Stephens for Commissioner
Les Boggs for Commissioner
Perry Brock for Treasurer
Cheryl Jenkins for Clerk of Courts
Sharon Hager for Recorder
Jeff Lawless for Sheriff
Obama Watch
New
This one is my new favorite. It is the
future of an Obama presidency.
Great Biden Interview
USA? Or USSA?
Cousins?
ProLife video featuring the
words and deeds of B. Hussein Obama
ACORN will shape Obama's
agenda
Fannie Mae
Nobama Girl
Did the Community Reinvestment
Act (CRA) cause the mortgage meltdown?
Bill Ayers
www.no-obama4us.org
Old
Shocking video of B. Hussein Obama shamelessly supporting infanticide.
This is a must see!!!
At what point does a baby get human rights?
The One we've been
waiting for
B. Hussein Obama quotes scripture
Senator
Biden praised John McCain's qualifications for president.
NotReady08
ObamaWantsYou.com
NoHussein.org
ObamaNation.com
GunBanObama.com
Be Patriotic. Pay More
Taxes!
Older
B. Hussein Obama on national defense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs
The National Journal rated
him as the most liberal US Senator. This is an amazing feat considering the
fact that US Senator
Bernie Sanders (Vermont) is an avowed socialist. (As a matter of fact,
although technically an independent, Sanders is the only Democrat that has the
courage to admit that he is a socialist.) The bottom line is that B. Hussein Obama is to
the left of an avowed socialist. What does that tell you?
This is my favorite video. It is almost five minutes and well worth watching all
the way through:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-1-g90bW0
What does Ted Strictland think of B. Hussein Obama?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik8BcMpnCZE
Voting records compared:
http://www.cwfpac.com/candidateStance.php
Beckerisms
If healthcare were nationalized and "free," wouldn't rationing be the
obvious method to control cost?
If healthcare were rationed, wouldn't euthanasia become an increasingly
important component of the program?
Who would be the high cost "low value" people to be euthanized first?
Would it be the elderly? What about handicapped children? Would Down's syndrome
babies be required to be euthanized before, during, or after birth?
Why do Democrats tend to support the legal killing of the most innocent among us
(pre-born babies), but oppose the death penalty for the most heinous criminals?
Property taxes discourage property ownership.
Sales taxes discourage consumption.
Income taxes discourage production.
Capital Gains taxes discourage savings and investment.
These are some of the reasons why smaller government and lower spending and
lower taxes can propel an economy.
Do you remember when a middle class tax cut was a central tenant of Bill
Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992?
That promise was followed by the biggest tax increase in the history of the
world in 1993.
What is B. Hussein Obama promising us?
Regardless of who wins the election next week, the economy will turn around and
get better. That always happens because recessions and economic activity are
cyclical. The next president will be credited for the economic recovery. The
president's economic policies will influence how fast, how strong, and how long
the next upswing will last. Does anyone think that socialistic policies are
better for the economy than capitalistic policies?
Recently, while enjoying lunch with my wife and eleven-year-old daughter
(Sarah), she asked me what Marxism was. I asked her if she knew the story about
the ants and the grasshoppers. She did and proceeded to tell me all about it. I
asked her how she thought the ants would react if their food, which they worked
so hard for, was taken away by the government and given to the lazy
grasshoppers. She looked at me perplexed like she could never imagine such a
thing. I tried to convince her that it wasn't fair that the ants should have a
plentiful amount of food and the grasshoppers should have little. Therefore, in
the name of fairness, the government will redistribute the wealth. The ensuing
discussion convinced me that my eleven-year-old daughter understands economics
better than most adults.
Clermont County Phone Banks
Phone bank hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9pm and Saturday,
10am to 2pm. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm and Saturday, 10am
to 4pm. To schedule a time, please contact Clermont County Victory Director,
Andrew Willis, at (614) 735-9298 or by e-mail at willis@ohiogop.org.
Walk-ins are always welcome! The Victory Center is located at 197 Main St.,
Batavia, Ohio 45103.
Past Events
October 19, 2008
Chairman Bennett hosted a conference call to discuss issue #6, polling data, and
candidate concerns. And Kevin DeWine discussed litigation regarding Jennifer
Bruner.
October 15, 2008
At the Clermont County Central Committee
meeting in Batavia, several candidates, or their representatives, briefly talked
about their campaigns. Additionally, phone banks, absentee voting, and election
night arrangements were discussed. Chairman Rudd talked about polling and
made a number of motivating comments to the membership.
October 6, 2008
About 30 people attended the Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting at the UT Civic Center.
Most of the discussion was regarding poll location assignments. Debbie Siegroth
is coordinating it.
October 5, 2008
Debbie
Clepper hosted a Campaign rally at Batavia Station Restaurant in Batavia.
Her many supporters enjoyed a band and plenty of food.
October 4, 2008
Almost 200 people attended a leadership summit at the Northpoint Conference
Center outside of Columbus. Several campaign and polling updates were given. We
were also treated with a surprise visit by Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He talked about
the problem with Ohio's Secretary of State's inability to conduct an open and
honest election. It was my pleasure to share a table with Tim Rudd, Harty
Wallingford, Tom Grossman, Betty Montgomery, and Jo Ann Davidson.
October 3, 2008
About 30 people attended Chip Gerhardt's "First Friday Luncheon" at
Via Vite on Fountain Square in Cincinnati. Chip distributed "ballots"
for us to make predictions on some key races plus state ballot issues #5 and #6.
(I was lobbying for a "No" vote on issue #5.) He will tally the votes
and compare our predictions to the actual results at next month's luncheon. I
met a few new people and had the pleasure of sitting with Commissioner
Pat DeWine and State Representative
Dale Mallory.
Future Events
October 29, 2008
Reception for Evelyn Stratton
at the Queen City Club from 8:00 - 9:00 am for $150
Introductory Speaker: Rob Portman
November 4, 2008
Election Day
November 11, 2008
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
November 19, 2008
Clermont County Central Committee
meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm
December 4, 2008
Chairman Bennett's annual Christmas Party in Columbus from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
December 5, 2008
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
December 9, 2008
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
January 5, 2009
Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting at the UT Civic Center at
7:00 pm
January 13, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
January 16, 2009 (Election of Officers)
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
January 31, 2009
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs meeting
February 10, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
February 20, 2009
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
March 10, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
March 31, 2009
Scioto County Lincoln Day Dinner,
social -- 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 pm