The Becker Report
Volume III, Issue XIV
April 5, 2009
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
Rodney Barnett, Scioto County GOP
Acting 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
Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda
continues to appreciate all prayers.
Former Clermont County Chairman and Retired State Representative, Rose Vesper,
has not been well and needs our prayers.
Senator Bob
Schuler is suffering from cancer and needs prayers.
Eric Kelso's family is suffering from a
house fire. Please contact him at (513) 520-9609 if you can help.
Donations can be made at any 5th 3rd Bank to the Mearle R. Kelso House Fire
Fund.
Dr. Terry Johnson, Scioto County's Chairman, is serving in Iraq and could use
our prayers.
Ohio's
Marriage Penalty
It is a little known fact that Ohio's married taxpayers are frequently better
off Filing Separate returns instead of Joint when both spouses have taxable
income. This is due to Ohio’s progressive income tax. The more you make, the
greater percentage they take. The marriage penalty begins when Joint Taxable
Income reaches $5,800! For more information, I've updated an information
page for the 2008 tax year. Additionally, I've updated an Excel
spreadsheet calculator for taxpayers to calculate exactly how much they are
personally impacted by Ohio's marriage penalty. From experience, I can tell you
that few legislators are aware of this problem and even fewer seem to care. That
will change after I'm elected to the State Senate!
Tax Check Off Box
The RNC and ORP encourage all tax filers to check off the Presidential Election
Campaign and the Ohio Political Party Fund boxes on their tax returns. In Ohio,
tax dollars get redirected to the state and county political parties.
Ohio Political Contributions Credit
Don't forget to take this credit on line 55 of your Ohio IT 1040 if you gave me,
or another qualifying candidate, a contribution in 2008. If you forgot, you can
file a 1040X.
Commentary on Former Senator Mike DeWine
I don't know Mike DeWine well, but I've known him for a long time. I've been to
his home several times for ice cream socials and enjoyed lunch with him and his
family in Mt. Orab. Mike is a good man and has honorably served our state and
our country. Over the years, he and I have disagreed on a number of issues. He
has taken the liberal position on ANWR, gun control, lifting the national speed limit,
the Ohio Marriage Amendment, his Gang
of 14 membership, and more. Regardless, I like him personally and only wish him
the very best. And I will never forget his commitment to pro-life issues. He is
always a champion for the cause. I will always hope to be able to work with him as a supporter of our candidates and party
platform.
When I first
heard that Mr. DeWine is planning to run for Attorney General, I was surprised. I thought that his political career had ended with the McCain
campaign. I network with a large number of people and polled many of them for their
thoughts about Mike DeWine. I asked individuals and addressed groups ranging
from 20 to 50 or so Republican and pro-family leaders. Many of these
leaders were from outside of Southern Ohio. I'm trying to be kind here, so I'll
simply say that the response was overwhelming and less than positive. I got a few positive comments
and they mostly had to do with his perceived ability to raise money and
potentially help the GOP slate of candidates. I hope they're right.
Gun Control
With John Kasich and Mike DeWine
considering statewide offices, gun control has surfaced as an issue.
Consider the following from Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair, Buckeye
Firearms Assoc.
Just a comment about Kasich...,he has done NOTHING to make amends with the
gun lobby. He was to have attended a Concealed
Carry (CCW) class. He cancelled instead. He did not attend the US
Sportsman's Alliance legislative reception, that was co-sponsored by Buckeye
Firearms, ODNR, Gander Mtn.,
Pheasants Forever, etc. If he wanted to make amends, he'd be showing it, and
there has been zero movement on his part towards that. We will NEVER believe
an election year conversion on our gun rights from anyone, up to and including
Mike DeWine!
In 1994 Kasich lead a small group of Republicans to side with the Democrats to
pass the Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) out of the House. Strickland, who was a
Democrat House member voted against his party when he voted no on the AWB.
The list is long with DeWine. To start with, he is the only Republican Senator to
ever get an 'A' rating from the Brady Bunch. Human Events has DeWine listed in
their top 10 anti-gun senators too. Like McCain, DeWine has spent a lot of
time voting with the Democrats and against his party. As Lt. Gov under George
Voinovich, Mike DeWine is widely credited with killing CCW for Ohio.
Not only that, DeWine has consistently supported Hate
Crime penalties.
Regarding Mr. Kasich, I found the following at http://www.ontheissues.org/OH/John_Kasich.htm.
Cool off before making new gun laws after Littleton. (May 1999)
More parenting better than more gun laws. (May 1999)
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
More detail can be found at: http://www.ontheissues.org/OH/John_Kasich_Gun_Control.htm.
It is in this document that they mention that he voted for the failed Clinton
gun ban in 1994.
Regarding Mr. DeWine, his rap sheet is long. According to http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Mike_DeWine.htm
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar
2004)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul
1998)
More detail can be found at: http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Mike_DeWine_Gun_Control.htm
In the Media
Do you detect any sarcasm in this editorial that ran in the March 19, 2009 print
edition of The Cincinnati Enquirer?
Now that I've joined the ranks of the unemployed, I'm wondering if I ever really
need to find a job. With our new socialist government continuing to extend
unemployment benefits and planning "free" healthcare, I may be able to
stay unemployed long enough to retire. That's only 15 years out. I think I can
get used to socialism.
John Becker, Eastgate
A Preview of the 2010 Statewide Races
Rob
Portman for US Senate
It appears that Rob may have a token challenger or two. That may help him to
generate free media and more name recognition.
Bob Paduchik is his campaign manager. Anyone interested in helping with the campaign should contact
Christa Criddle at 513-476-5707.
Our next Governor?
Kevin Coughlin has announced his
candidacy. However, I'm now hearing that he may run for Secretary of State
after John Kasich formally announces for governor.
Todd Kritzwiser is a local candidate who
is also seeking the office. He can be contacted at 937-444-Ohio (6446). Todd
lives in Brown County's Sterling Twp. near Williamsburg.
John Kasich has not yet
officially announced.
Auditor of State
Mary Taylor will likely run
unopposed.
State Treasurer
Josh Mandel appears to be running
unopposed.
Secretary of State
Jon Husted has officially
announced his candidacy.
Sandy O'Brien is also campaigning.
Attorney General
It appears that this race is shaping up to be Dave
Yost vs. Mike DeWine.
Mike
Crites does not appear to be a candidate for AG.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice
Former Attorney General, Jim
Petro, is planning to run against Justice Maureen
O'Conner. It
is important to note that Justice O'Connor would have to resign and Ted
Strictland would appoint a Democrat.
Ohio Supreme Court
Judith
Lanzinger and Paul
Pfeifer will run for re-election.
What is the Apportionment
Board?
The Board consists of the Governor, Secretary
of State, State Auditor, and a Republican and Democrat selected from the
Legislature. Control is important
because the Board redraws the State House and State Senate districts based on
the 2010 national census. The Party redrawing the district lines will have a
huge advantage in determining control of the legislature in 2012 and beyond. The
legislature redraws the US House districts.
Video Gallery
How
can we bring this man to Washington DC?
Property Tax Hikes?
Becker for State Senate
The Primary Election is 35 months away. I've been meeting with people, getting
ideas, and raising money.
Past Events
April 3, 2009
More than 80 people attended the First Friday luncheon sponsored by Chip
Gerhardt and Jim Benedict. The topic was the state budget. The featured
speakers were Joe
Uecker, Peter
Stautberg, Bill
Seitz, Bob
Mecklenborg, Connie
Pillich, and Denise
Driehaus.
April 2, 2009
The Brown County Republican Club met in Mt. Orab to discuss the very successful
Lincoln Day Dinner and plan future events. Party Chairman, Paul Hall, stated
that we can't be the party of "no." We must have an agenda and stand
for something.
Clermont County was represented at the meeting by Peter Schmidt and me.
April 1, 2009
About 25 people attended the Anderson Twp
Republican Club meeting to hear Club President, Russ Jackson, present a 12
point list of complaints and thoughtful suggestions to Hamilton
County GOP Chairman, Alex Triantafilou. It was almost like Martin
Luther hammering his 95
Theses to the door of All
Saints' Church in Wittenberg,
Germany in 1517. Will this be the beginning of a reformation within the GOP?
A very brief summary of the 4-full page "Jackson Doctrine" is as
follows:
1) Republicans must stop acting like Democrats and Party leadership must hold
them accountable. "In politics, winning is not everything, principle is
everything! Core Republican principles of fiscal responsibility, smaller
government, traditional values, personal responsibility and ethics must be
creditably reestablished."
2) "...Field candidates for every elected office; no more backroom
deals."
3) "Candidates should be supported based on their commitment to Republican
principles."..."Finding and supporting female and/or minority
candidates should be a goal, but, only if those candidates are truly dedicated
to Republican values."
4) Fundraising efforts should be "targeting businesses and individuals who
contribute because they believe in Republican ideals, not just to advance their
personal or corporate agendas."
5) "Party leadership needs to start listening to its rank and file rather
than to self-serving insiders."
6) "Forget the "big tent" concept, as all it tends to gather is a
bunch of elephants and clowns."..."Voters didn't reject our
conservative ideology, they rejected our hypocrisy. Compromising our principles
to attract a few outsiders will only erode the very base of our Party and we
will ultimately lose more followers than we gain."
7) "A few local Republicans have publicly stated that social issues have
polarized our Party membership, and that splinter groups and one-issue
conservatives are problematic."..."The problem is not a fixation on
social issues...the problem is a lack of fixation on basic Republican
values!"
8) Defund the RINOs. "Party leadership must take the responsibility to
admonish these people if we are to ever regain credibility with our own
membership."
9) "The Party needs to begin offering innovative solutions by focusing on
the solving of local problems, not just trying to elect candidates. We need to
create viable plans, based on Republican principles, and then let voters know
what we are for, not just what we are against."
10) "If people don't believe that Republicans are the party of limited
government, why should they vote Republican? We need to learn from this debacle,
by using our solid local values as building blocks for the Republican Party of
the future. We do that by effectively articulating a focused and consistent
message and then assure that our officeholders and candidates live up to
it."
11) "...It was inexcusable that the ORP, and by extension the Hamilton
County Party, ran an incredibly flawed [presidential] campaign. Running a major
campaign in a parallel universe with the well-established local organizations
was an utter waste of resources and the folks responsible should be rebuked, not
promoted to leadership positions."
12) "If our leaders can't accept responsibility for the Party's failures,
we Republicans don't have a prayer. If we continue to be perceived as the Party
of Desperation, we will continue to run in second place for years to come."
Mr. Triantafilou then took the podium. He agreed and disagreed with some of the
above. He discussed the importance of name identification, finances, and
electability. Often times, the frustrating choice is principled versus viable.
He then outlined his own 5 point plan for the Hamilton County GOP.
March 28, 2009
It was exciting to be invited to the very exclusive Pro-Family Forum in
Columbus. I was given 10 minutes to speak about my
candidacy for State Senate and then later, another 10 minutes to discuss the
Ohio
Marriage Penalty. As my readers would expect, my policies and position
statements were very popular with the crowd of about 50 pro-family leaders and
other candidates for public office from all corners of the state. An outline of my talking points
are as follows:
o Make Ohio a low tax, low regulation, business friendly state.
o Property taxes discourage property ownership. Sales taxes discourage
consumption. Income taxes discourage production. Business taxes discourage job
and wealth creation. Estate taxes encourage "Green Flight" such
as Former Senator Howard
Metzenbaum moving to Florida with his money to die there.
o Phase out the income tax, business taxes, and the death tax.
o Dr. Richard Vedder, Professor of Economics at Ohio University, testified on
behalf of HB 534. It phases out the income tax over 10 years. Dr. Vedder said,
"In studies that I have done on Missouri and on South Carolina, I have
found that it is feasible to eliminate state income taxes over roughly a decade
period without reducing real expenditures or materially raising other taxes.
Economic growth generates revenue, as should be abundantly clear as the current
negative growth is causing revenue losses."
o The Buckeye
Institute's 2009 Ohio Piglet Book identified many opportunities to reduce
spending. They also recommended an "Ohio version of the Grace
Commission."
o The Jim Petro plan,
introduced as HB
25 and SB
52, would reduce 24 executive agencies down to 10 and reduce spending by $1
billion annually.
o Reduce the number of local governments and taxing entities.
o John Kasich talks about when he created the "Kasich Budget" in
congress. Expect a "Becker Budget" in the Ohio legislature. The
principals will be less government, lower taxes, and economic growth.
o Abortion: When is it permissible to take a human life? Self defense, war, and
capital punishment. Is a baby's humanity determined by which end of the birth
canal he resides? We know with scientific certainty that, during all stages of
development from zygote to
adulthood, the living cell(s) is (are) a human being.
o Capital punishment is one of the few issues I'm willing to compromise on: I'd
agree to stopping all the killing. End abortion and end capital punishment. I
would take that deal.
o Marriage: One man and one woman. It really is that simple.
o Gambling: Opposed
o Pornography: Opposed
I could have covered many more issues, but all of the above took almost 10
minutes.
March 18, 2009
Nearly 50 people attended the regular business meeting of the Clermont County Central Committee
in Batavia. Chairman Rudd
recapped the very successful Lincoln Day Dinner. He also introduced Judge
Shriver and discussed the Board of Elections seat that he will be vacating.
Additionally, Mr. Rudd speculated that Mary Taylor may choose to run against
Senator Brown in 2012. He also mentioned the Michael Steele/Rush Limbaugh
controversy. Joe
Uecker and Ed
Humphrey also gave updates.
March 16, 2009
John
Kasich was the featured speaker at the Lawrence County Lincoln Day at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove.
Hundreds of patrons listened intently as Mr. Kasich outlined four issues that he
would concentrate on as governor. They are the death tax, income tax, regulatory
reform, and the education system. I had the privilege of sitting on stage with
three of my state central
committee colleagues: Kay Reynolds, Marilyn Ashcraft, and Phil Bowman.
March 15, 2009
Thousands of citizens protested the Obama administration's socialist policies at
the Cincinnati Tea Party.
Amongst the long list of speakers was Clermont County's Thea Shoemake.
March 14, 2009
After attending the
Adams County Lincoln Day Dinner, Stephen Caraway sent me the following:
Nearly 150 people were present to hear Fox News Contributor John
Kasich and to get reports from Congresswoman Schmidt and
State Senator Tom
Niehaus. Representative Danny Bubp and
Attorney General candidate Dave Yost were
also present, but had to leave early due to other events. Adams County
Republicans awarded the annual McCoy/Hanson Scholarship and celebrated Lincoln's
Birthday. Thanks to the many donors and supporters that help fund the Adams
County Republican Party.
March 11, 2009
I had the pleasure of sitting with Clermont County's Ed
Humphrey at the ORP regional leadership meeting in Mason. Three broad topics
were discussed: What went wrong in 2006 and 2008? Where do we go from here?
Discussion and vetting of the potential 2010 candidates.
Event Calendar
April 6, 2009
Scioto County Lincoln Day Dinner,
social -- 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 pm
April 14, 2009
Kevin DeWine's "Party to the People" Tour at 7:00 pm at the
Sharonville Community Center: 10990 Thornview Dr.
Chairman DeWine was the Keynote speaker at the Hamilton County Lincoln Day
Dinner, so this is a great opportunity for folks who were not able to attend
that event to come meet and hear the Chairman FOR FREE! Light refreshments
provided.
The Sponsors of this event are: Springfield Township Republican Club, North
College Hill Republican Club, Mt. Healthy Republican Club, Colerain Republican
Club, Sycamore Township Republican Club, Madeira Republican Club, Wyoming
Republican Club and Sharonville Republican Club.-possibly Hamilton County
Republican Women's Club and East Side Republican Club.
April 14, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
April 15, 2009
Clermont County Central Committee
endorsement meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm
April 15, 2009
Deadline to submit letter of interest for the Clermont County Board of Elections
position being vacated by Tim Rudd
April 15, 2009
Cincinnati Tea Party at 11:30 am on Fountain Square followed by a march to City
Hall
April 17, 2009
Family First PAC fundraiser at the
home of Matt and Julie Byrne from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for $50
Special guests include Mary Taylor,
Steve Chabot, Josh
Mandel, and Andrew
Ciafardini
E-mail Lori Viars at life1@go-concepts.com
or call (513) 932-3554 to RSVP by April 14th
April 21, 2009
CCV's Spring Banquet featuring David
Barton at Xavier University's Cintas Center for $50
April 23, 2009
Pregnancy Center East's Banquet for Life at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati
featuring Lila Rose for $50
Social at 5:30 pm and Dinner at 7:00 pm
May 5, 2009
Primary Election
May 6, 2009
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd.
Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm
May 7, 2009
National Day of Prayer
May 8, 2009
First Friday luncheon sponsored by Chip
Gerhardt and Jim Benedict for $20
Keynote Speaker: Senator
Gary Cates
May 12, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
May 15, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus
May 16, 2009
Fundraiser for Danny
Bubp at the Meranda-Nixon
Winery in Ripley featuring Rob Portman
for $50
May 18, 2009
Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting at the UT Civic Center at
7:00 pm
May 23, 2009
Bill Herdman's 85th birthday party for $85 at Lake Lorelei with pontoon boat
rides and a huge barbecue beginning at 4:00 pm
June 3, 2009
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd.
Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm
June 4, 2009
Brown County Republican Club
meeting in Mt. Orab
June 6, 2009
ORP Candidate Training Seminar in Dublin
June 9, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
July 14, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston
July 18, 2009
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association
August 5, 2009
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd.
Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm
September 2, 2009
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd.
Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm
September 12, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus
October 7, 2009
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd.
Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm
November 3, 2009
General Election
December 11, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus
February 5, 2010
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner
Paid for by Friends of Becker, John Becker, CTP, MBA, Treasurer, 925 Locust Lane,
Cincinnati, OH 45245-1313