|
|
|
|
The Becker Report
Volume
IV, Issue VIII
December 14, 2010
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
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let
me know and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you
get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends.
Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and all back issues
are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm.
Disclaimer
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?
Don’t
give that $100 to the Ohio Dept. of Taxation!
A dollar-for-dollar
tax CREDIT (not deduction) is available on the Ohio IT 1040 income tax form.
Ohio taxpayers have a choice. We can divert that $100 to candidates running for
state offices. It’s the same $100. Why send it to the dept. of taxation? Please
send it to a candidate that qualifies for the tax credit. The credit is $50 for
singles and $100 for married couples. You will get the full amount back when
you file your Ohio IT 1040 (line #55). Call me if you have any questions about
this or anything else. My number is 513-753-6440. And send your check to Friends of Becker | 925 Locust Lane | Cincinnati, OH |
45245-1313. If it is more convenient, you could use a credit card. This link takes you to a secured
PayPal site. A PayPal
account is not necessary. I will mail you a thank you receipt for your records.
More information is here.
Becker
for 2012 Ohio House of Representatives
The 2012 Primary Election is 15 months away and only 13 months until early
voting. I’ve raised $13,600 and expanded my donor base to about 175 people.
Donation size has ranged from $5 to $125. All contributions have been from
individuals only. I’m Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-Limited Government and Lower
Taxes. Please see the following brief videos regarding my candidacy:
|
Introduction (38 seconds) |
Second Amendment (36 seconds) |
|
Taxes (49 seconds) |
Energy (55 seconds) |
|
Pro-Life (42 seconds) |
Gambling (40 seconds) |
|
State Government Spending (45 seconds) |
Creation Science and Evolution (42 seconds) |
|
State Government (37 seconds) |
Donate (50 seconds) |
Beckerisms
Tax Cuts and
Unemployment Benefits
I was recently asked to explain my position on extending the Bush tax cuts and continuing
the federal funding of unemployment benefits: Tax policy is not spending. It is
on the revenue side of the equation. Any theoretical reductions in revenue, as
a result of tax cuts, are based on static analysis. That analysis assumes that
changes in consumer, business, and investor behavior will not change. This is a
fallacy. Therefore, dynamic analysis must be used. We know from history that
tax cuts lead to economic growth. The best example is from the 1980s when
Ronald Reagan convinced congress to enact massive tax cuts. Those cuts lead to
an epic expansion of the economy. During that decade, revenues to the
federal treasury doubled. Regarding federal unemployment benefits, it is
clear from the 10th Amendment that the federal government should
not even consider such spending. Furthermore, we know from dynamic analysis
that when a government taxes something they get less of it. Likewise, when they
subsidize something they get more of it. Therefore, logic dictates that
subsidizing unemployment encourages and extends the unemployment problem. As an
aside, I do not condemn the citizenry for accepting government welfare
benefits. In my opinion, the government is at fault for offering benefits that
violate the 10th Amendment. These types of policy decisions
should be strictly within the domain of the states.
Social Justice
During a recent event, the topic of “social justice” came up: When most people
think of social justice issues, it usually has to do with government benefits
for the poor. Liberals like to feel good about themselves by being generous
with other people’s money. Many feel that it is the Christian thing to do. As
stated above, any federal benefits would be in violation of the 10th Amendment. Government sponsored redistribution
of wealth is akin to sticking a gun to the head of a taxpayer, taking his
money, and then handing it over to somebody else. I fail to see the
Christianity in that. However, the Marxist philosophy is very clear. In my
opinion, responsible social justice is when we as individuals and families
voluntarily decide to generously contribute time, talent, and treasure to
non-profit organizations such as churches, the United Way or a myriad of other
worthwhile community organizations or simply act independently. The hierarchy
for people reaching out for help should be as follows: 1) Themselves; 2) Their
families; 3) Their churches 4) Community organizations; 5) Local government;
and 6) State government. Ideally, the federal government should never be
involved. (See the 10th Amendment). And local and state government
should only be involved in a limited way (if at all).
Estate Taxes
Liberals have always appreciated estate taxes as a way to redistribute wealth.
When pressed with the argument that it is a tax on wealth that has already been
taxed, they retort that it is the heirs who are being taxed and not the dead
person who has already been taxed. If that is true, then why does our society
consider stealing from the dead the worst type of theft? Aren’t they just
stealing from the dead person’s heirs?
Video
Central
Don’t buy stuff you cannot afford (2+ minutes from Saturday Night Live)
Past
Events
December 10, 2010
During the State Central Committee meeting, Kevin “The Sweeper” DeWine reviewed
the 2010 massive electoral victories. The three keys to success were: strong
candidates, favorable environment, and solid infrastructure. The Democrats had
two out of three. “The pendulum swings hard when the voters are unhappy,” said
Chairman DeWine. He went on to say that Republicans have “earned a second
chance from the voters.” The Chairman expects the Party to continue to do well
because, “lower taxes, smaller government, and fiscal discipline are the basis
of the Republican Party,” said he. Mr. DeWine sung the praises of Southwest
Ohio and specifically named Clermont, Warren, and Butler Counties as key.
Other business included a resolution to support the Ohio Health Care Freedom
Amendment and a resolution “commending the work of the Ohio Republican Party
Chairman Kevin DeWine and the staff of the Ohio Republican Party.” We also
passed a resolution condemning Senator Tim Grendell for “usurping the will of the people” and “gaming our
elections system” and asking him to reconsider.
December 9, 2010
About 450 people attended the annual Ohio GOP Christmas Party in Columbus. It
was a particularly festive occasion due to the massive electoral victories.
Many of my friends and colleagues from Southwestern Ohio attended. From my five
counties, it was great to see Tom Niehaus
from Clermont County, Paul Hall from Brown County, Key Reynolds, Dr.
Terry Johnson, and
Rick Jones all from Scioto County.
December 7, 2010
The Union Twp Tea Party gathered at the Eastgate Holiday Inn for the monthly
meeting. It was exciting to see Archie
Wilson get sworn in
as Clermont County’s newest commissioner. Additionally, multiple committees
were discussed and people signed on to the committees of their choice. More
than 200 people attended.
December 6, 2010
Mary Lynne Birck and George Pattison were the featured speakers at the Union
Twp (Clermont County) GOP Central Committee meeting. Items of discussion
included the Union Twp GOP endorsement policy and federal and state policy
issues.
December 3, 2010
Steve
Chabot
was the featured
speaker at the First Friday luncheon sponsored by Government Strategies Group. About
70 people attended. It was great to see Joe
Uecker and Ed Humphrey from Clermont County. I had the honor
of enjoying lunch with Michael Harlow.
Event
Calendar
December 14, 2010
Scioto County GOP Club pot luck Christmas party in New Boston at 6:30 pm
December 15, 2010
Adams County Christmas Party
December 16, 2010
Miami Twp Tea Party Christmas Party at 7pm at the Civic Center
December 16, 2010
COAST Christmas Party featuring Alex Triantafilou, Dave Yost, Steve Chabot, Chris
Monzel, and Dr. Brad Wenstrup at The Great American Sports Café at 6:30 pm.
Call Kim Grant at 513-583-5829 or KGrant5@Cinci.rr.com.
January 4, 2011
Union Twp (Clermont County) Tea Party meeting at the Eastgate Holiday Inn at
7pm
January 7, 2011
First Friday luncheon sponsored by Government Strategies Group
January 9, 2011
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 4 pm
January 10, 2011
The Inauguration of Gov. John Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor at the Ohio
Theatre in Columbus from 12-1:30 pm
January 11, 2011
Scioto County GOP meeting in New Boston at 7pm
January 15, 2011
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs meeting at the Ponderosa in Jackson at 9:30 am
January 19, 2011
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7pm in Batavia
February 1, 2011
Union Twp (Clermont County) Tea Party meeting at the Eastgate Holiday Inn at
7pm
February 4, 2011
First Friday luncheon sponsored by Government Strategies Group
February 7, 2011
Union Twp (Clermont County) GOP Central Committee meeting at the Civic Center
at 7 pm
March 4, 2011
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
March 25, 2011
4th Annual Friends of NRA event at Eastgate Receptions: Social at
6pm, Dinner at 7pm. For Tickets, call Cathy Darnell at 513-753-3112 or e-mail
gcfnra@yahoo.com
Pro-Life | Pro-Gun | Limited Government | Lower Taxes
Paid for by Friends of Becker | John Becker, CTP, MBA, Treasurer | 925 Locust Lane | Cincinnati | Ohio | 45245-1313