God Bless the Gazelles...and the little hippopotami

A brief delude into the maniacal jocularities of the Connecticut House Democratic Caucus, courtesy of House Rules. And we wonder why we don't have a budget...

CT Dems: Serving up Election Fraud on a Silver Platter

So while our state faces at least a $7 billion deficit (which still boggles my mind that you can't agree on a deficit number- never known a lot of nuances in math), the Democrats on the state Government Administration and Elections Committee offered a bill that would allow Election Day Registration in our state- and open the door to unprecedented election fraud.

With a significant number of Democrats crossing over from the dark side to support democracy, the House still managed to pass a bill that would allow people to register to vote and vote on the same day. No time to check if the person is already registered. No time to check whether or not the person is forging their documents. No way to know if a person voted by absentee ballot and is lying about not being registered. And ultimately- the votes are counted.



Above is a video of Rep. Sean Williams (R-68) speaking against the bill- and in favor of preserving our democratic values here in Connecticut.


Representative Williams page can be seen at http://www.repwilliams.com/

Video Credit to ElectionJournal.org

Vote on National Popular Vote Passes Because it Failed

Oh how I love irony in Hartford. Really, I do. Which is a good thing, considering the tremendous amount of irony there is up there.

A bill recently came up in the State House of Representatives, which would enter Connecticut into an interstate compact to elect the President by National Popular Vote. Basically, if this was to become a compact with enough states, when Connecticut's elector's go to the Electoral College to cast their votes for President, they will not be casting their votes for the candidate who won the most votes in Connecticut. Rather, they will be voting for whomever got the most votes NATIONALLY.

So, in 2004, when Connecticut overwhelmingly voted for Sen. John Kerry, our electoral votes would have gone to President George Bush. Every single resident who voted for John Kerry would have their votes thrown out. As State Rep. David Labriola (R-Naugatuck) during his speech on the House floor, "How undemocratic is that?". As Rep. Labriola said, "It's really just sour grapes about the 2000 election."

But really, the fun part here is in the leadership of the Democratic caucus. When the machine was closed, the vote totals on the top of the machine read: Yea: 72. No:73. The Bill failed.

But did it? No.

Thanks to the brow beating of House Speaker (and former "Community Organizer"/Union Rep....hmm shocking) Chris Donovan and other leaders in the Democratic Caucus, which was called a conversation he wished others had heard by Deputy Speaker Robert Godfrey, Godfrey asked to have his vote changed to yes. Followed by Deputy Speaker Buddy Altobello, and Democratic veterans Peggy Sayers and Peter Tercyak.

Amid jeers and "boos" from colleagues, 4 Democratic leaders were allowed to change their vote on a bill that complained about an election where someone really won, but then lost.

A bill that's dead in the Senate. Certainly a veto by Governor Rell. And yet the Democratic leadership made sure it passed it the House. Surely, time would be much better spent whittling down an $8 billon deficit. But when that vote is over, who knows who will change their minds. With the Democratic leadership we have in Hartford, it is really a wonder anything gets done.

Competitve Markets hold Bipartisan Support in Hartford

Maybe Washington could learn a thing or two.

Energy Committee Ranking Member Sean Williams today joined with Sen. John Fonfara (D-1),the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and residential consumers at a Hartford press conference opposing legislation seeking to re-regulate our state’s electricity market.

Representative Williams noted that more than 140,000 Connecticut rate-payers have signed up with competetive electricity suplliers, finding savings of more than 10% over the regulated utility rate. Williams and company stressed that customers wanted CHOICES when purchasing electricity, rather than state government deciding for them pointing to a stack of more than 800 consumer emails generated through the website http://www.nomoremonopoliesct.com/.

What does all this mean? Well it means that capitalism needs to remain alive and kicking here in Connecticut. It means that you know how to spend your money better than the government does. It means that we cannot allow the government to control our lives, even a miniscule amount more than they are now.

It means that market freedoms are essential freedoms- and when those disappear, so does the American dream.

In a time when the Beltway is tightening regulations that force consumers into government controlled entities, it is good to know that at least some sensible minds in Hartford are trying to protect the important choices of the residents of Connecticut.


Sean Williams website can be seen here.

Dodd's Donation Despair

Over the past month or so, we have seen reports that only FIVE individual donors from inside the state of Connecticut have thusfar donated to disparaged Senator Chris Dodd's reelection campaign. Well, harsh reality check- it's only four. A closer look at Dodd's quarterly report shows that one of the reported five is actually from Watertown, NY- not CT. Sorry Senator, 20% of your CT donor base just walked out the door with a New York driver's license.

As the race for the GOP nod heats up with former Congressman Rob Simmons and State Senator Sam Caligiuri already announced and former ambassador Tom Foley likely to enter the race, it will be an interesting battle to see who gets to take on the Dodd and remove him from Connecticut's eyes and disgrace.

Even some democrats are fed up with the Senator's shennanigans, as Roger Pierson appeared on Face the State this past sunday to discuss his possible primary challenge against Dodd.

Both Simmons and Caligiuri responded to Dodd's lack of donors through videos of their own, with Simmons calling five donors from CT to thank them for their contributions (www.joinrobsimmons.com) and Caligiuri with a trifle too long, but nonetheless effective, ad showing where all of Dodd's money is coming from- none from CT (www.samforussenate.com).

Here's an offer- Senator Dodd, I'll donate 200 dollars to help pay of your $180 grand in Presidential Campaign debt if you promise to move to your cottage in Ireland and never return again.

Dodd Dominated in Apr. 2 Quinnipiac University Poll

Good Thing Chris Dodd already found a new job at Chilli's since his days left in Washington are severly numbered. April 2's Quinnipiac University Poll placed the disembodied and disenfranchised Senator from AIG at 16 points behind former US Congressman Rob Simmons, 8 points behind Former US Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, and 4 points behind State Senator Sam Caligiuri (Quinnipiac University Poll, April 2, 2009- If the election were held today).

Perhaps even more astonishing- 33% disapproval rating. Almost unheard of for a 30 year incumbent. The coffin has begun being built on the senatorial career of the once powerful and respected member of the Washington Community.

Rob Simmons, appearing on Fox News's Hannity earlier this evening put it best: It means Connecticut residents don't trust Chris Dodd anymore.

And why should they? Considering 27% of respondents blame Dodd himself for the AIG bonus scandal. He moved to Iowa. He said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were doing just fine, weeks before they would have collapsed (the $133,00 donated from these companies to his campaigns may have been an incentive). He wrote the amendment that allowed the AIG bonuses to go through. Then he lied about it (New Haven Register March 20, 2009). He took sweetheart mortgages and then never disclosed the documents. Bought an Irish "cottage" that makes Windsor Castle look like a cheap summer home.

Perhaps more than a vote of confidence in the Republican candidates, however, this may be a striking and resounding lack of confidence in Chris Dodd. With nearly 88% of respondents not knowing enough about Sam Caligiuri to form an opinion, and even 47% about Rob Simmons, these numbers really speak for themselves: Chris Dodd's days are over.

(The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. Its margin of error for the April 2 poll was +/- 2.9%)

The American Dream is Falling Down, Falling Down

There is a line. A fine line. One between functioning democracy, with government support and oversight, and a world with government control of a market, dictatorial in nature. No, Mr. President, you are not coming up on this line. No, Mr. President- look behind you.

In a shocking and daring move, the White House forced out the head of the General Motors Corporation, Rick Wagoner (Hartford Courant). There is a notion, one that assures me in my heart that small businesses can succeed and that the American Dream is still alive- the free and open market. If a small business owner has to be afraid that if his company is having an off quarter, he will be replaced at the will of the government, what incentive does he have to start his business and perform the truest act of economic stimulation?

Entrepeneurship, risk-taking in the business realm create jobs, create money. Not an Auto-Czar, an executive branch position with complete regulatory authority over one of our most suffering industries. Because we all know that government is the solution to our problems.

For years, Democrats have been saying that Republicans and George Bush and government caused the crisis we are in. Republicans have been saying that Democrats and Chris Dodd are responsible. When will either side smarten up and realize the simple issue at stake: government is responsible for the mess we're in.

Please, don't take this as an anarchal rant. I'm not anti-government. I'm just against more government than we can afford. Do we need a central, national authority? Yes. Does that central authority need to have the power to regulate everything that exists? No.

The economy goes up and down, much like a baseball team. Every once in a while, a manager is replaced because the team isn't doing so hot. We've all seen it. But that decision is up to each individual club, not the baseball comissioner. The comissioner's job is to ensure a level playing field (no pun intended) for each team in the league. Why can't government act the same way? If it had for the past 15 years, maybe none of this would have ever happened and we wouldn't be worried about government take overs of independent industries.

Director of Auto Communities. Seems like a fun job. I find it hard to believe, however, that individual freedom is not at stake. I find it hard to believe that the American Dream is not at stake. A dream that relies on independent risk. Only in failure can you know success. I sure hope success isn't too far off. But then again, maybe I'm just dreaming.