Never Underestimate the American People

Made by an Alabama teen after his mother requested a commerical for the local Tax Day Tea Party. If a 16 year old kid gets it, why doesn't Congress?


"Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. It's the only thing that ever has."

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

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.

Tough Loss in 15th Special

After a full day of phone calls and an uphill battle, Republican Candidate has lost his bid to fill the open seat in the 15th District Special Election, 55%-39%. It was a good fight, but in the end the chips didn't fall in our favor. Thanks to all who helped.

There's a Strange Wind Blowing in Hartford

For people who don't intend on doing a lot of harm, Connecticut Democrats are sure having a heck of a week. A State Representative the last person to see a friend alive- and no one is still sure what happened. Two senior legislators attacking the Catholic Church and undermining the Constitution. A caucus driving our state into an $8 billion deficit- then refusing to make the tough decisions to get out of it.

Contrary to popular opinion, I am not a vindictive, mean-spirited person. I am willing to give a lot of room to Representative James O'Rourke. For those of you unaware- here's the quick version of the story. O'Rourke was at a bar, as was state employee Carol Sinisgalli. He offered to bring her home. They got into a fight on the way. She got out, he left thinking she was very near her house. She wasn't. And she was found dead in the snow hours later, dead from the freezing cold.

Now, I am of the opinion that this may have been an honest mistake by Rep. O'Rourke. However, there are questions to be answered. Regardless of any kind of altercation, he took the responsibility of brining Sinisgalli home. He should have made sure she got there. In the mean time, Rep. O'Rourke owes it to his constituents to answer their questions- whatever they may be.

Co-Chairs of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Andrew McDonald and Representative Michael Lawlor made the mistake of trying to take on the Catholic Church this past week with S.B. 1098. The bill seeked to reorganize the administrative, financial, and legal structure of the church- via state law. Needless to say, the proposition of the bill caused enormous uproar, not only in the Catholic Community in Connecticut, but in anyone who has ever read the Constitution as well. I am aware that laws concerning the Catholic Church exist already, but I don't agree with those either. As for the parishoner who sought the bill, obviously he is not a devout enough Catholic himself, or he would have sought to solve the issue within the church hierarchy itself.

Senator McDonald said on wednesday, "It was never my attention to offend anyone of faith" (Hartford Courant- Capitol Watch 3/11/09). For something that it was never your intention of doing, you did an awesome job, Senator. Next time someone comes to you with a concern about a private organization, don't try to overtake the organization yourself with legislation- how about a meeting with the concerned constituent and organizational leaders? Or is that too logical for you to do? I would also like to not with astonishment, Representative Lawlor's noticeable silence since the bill was pulled on Tuesday afternoon. Can take responsibility for defiling the Constitution, but can't apologize when he's called out on it.

While all of this has been going on, nothing significant going on about the deficit. Connecticut Republican Leader Larry Cafero made a key move by placing freshman and recent victor Rosa Rebimbas on the budget writing Appropriations committee. As someone who has spent years proving fiscal conservativism and tough decision making on her hometown of Naugatuck's Finance Board, it is one more signal that Cafero and the Republicans are putting more faith in the power of action to get rid of this mounting deficit.

We all have bad weeks, so don't feel too bad, Democrats. There is still plenty of session left to make up the blunders and follies that have plagued you this week. Your intentions may be good, but intentions don't translate into actions. Here's a tip from that old, dusty, politician's handbook- Listen to your constituents and do what they ask. Thank God its Friday.

ROSA REBIMBAS WINS IN NAUGATUCK!!!!

In a nervewracking and exciting special election day, filled with snow, phones, and nervous waiting, I am so happy to announce that fellow Young Republican Rosa Rebimbas has won her race and is the next State Representative from Naugatuck's 70th District!!!

It was a very close vote, 1043-965 and with the blizzard that pounded us last night and into the early afternoon, it was a crazy day. But major, major kudos to Chris Fryxell, John Healey, Bryan Sundie, Len Greene Jr., and all the guys at the House Republicans who put so much time and effort into this race. They ran a pheonomenal campaign and I was so proud to be a part of their team.

Thank you to everyone who helped, whether physically, or through your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. It all went into good use, and finally SUCCESS! Days like this make me proud to be a Republican and even more proud to be a memeber of Connecticut Young Republicans.

We are strong, we are capable, and we are ready to win!

Congratulations Rosa!!!

Intelligent Debate

An intelligent liberal associate of mine, made a comment on a note of mine in which he declared his support of universal healthcare. The reason I bring this up is the response I made to his comment, I believe, should become in a manner of speaking our manifesto. The essence of his comment boiled down to What is so good about small government and so bad about government intervention? I would like to share with you my response, and hope that it inspires all of you to maintain your beliefs in small government, personal freedom, and the freedom of the open market.

"There is nothing wrong with helping people. But smaller government means more freedom. It creates the drive and determination to succeed, to become that which you are capable of becoming. If the government started handing everything out to everyone, where is the American Dream at that moment? In that instant, in that second it becomes nothing more than a memory.

"Private organizations drive the world, they drive the market, they drive discovery. Samuel Broder, former director of the US National Cancer Institute, once said, 'If it was up to the NIH [National Institute of Health] to cure polio through a centrally directed program instead of independent investigator driven discovery, you'd have the best iron lung in the world, but not a polio vaccine.'

"That's where the problem is. The innovation, the freedom to create and discover is gone. Sure we could become more like Canada with a more socialized healthcare system, and maybe drugs would be cheaper, because the governmentcontrols the price. But how many life saving drugs are invented in Canada? None. Because the government controls the price.

"The free market is what makes America enviable. The government didn't make the Prius the hottest selling car in Hollywood, the market did that. You add in government, you take away freedom. You take away the very identity America has created since 1776, when we broke away from more government interference to more disolved control."

And that, my friends, is what small government is all about.

Happy New Year

All,

As we turn our clocks into 2009, we have many challenges on the road ahead of us. A time of seemingly insurmountable majorities. A time of economic trouble. A time of war. There is no denying that we have a great deal of obstacles to overcome, but we can do it, if we do it together. Only when we can all unite will our strength be known. We will win together, we will lose together. Celebrate and mourn together. And defeats will be softened and victories sweetened because we will do them together.

On that note, I would like to extend warmest wishes for a happy and safe New Year from everyone at Connecticut Young Republicans. May she be a damn sight better than the old one. And may we all find home before she's over.

Twiterrific

There is a new networking site out there, some of you may be on it, some of you may not called Twitter. Basically, you network with people by following and creating status updates. In fact, you can even have conversations with people. Since I joined twitter a few weeks ago, I have already begun networking with YRs from across the country, and even members of the RNC and candidates for RNC Chair. This is truely a start to getting all party members together. Check it out and, if you feel the desire, follow me...twitter.com/chrisjford. CTGOP is also on there, along with House Rules and many other members of the CT political world. Come join us and spread the good word.

Her Royal Highness and the House of Commons: Maybe they did something right

Have you ever watched C-SPAN's coverage of the United Kingdom's House of Commons? If you have not, take a half hour out of your day on wednesday nights to watch their programme, Prime Minister's questions. As Robin Williams once said, "It's like Congresss with a two drink minnimum" (So I guess Sen. Ted Kennedy would fit right in).

But strangely, there is a possibility that the British Lower House, for that matter British party politics in general, has a model that the Republican party can strive to replicate in America: unadulterated party leadership.

Most people know that the Prime Minister of England is currently Gordon Brown, who is the proverbial head of the Labour Party. Currently, that is equivalent in most senses to President George Bush as the symbolic head of the Republican Party (no matter how many Congressmen running for reelection ran away from him).

But walk down the street in England and ask them who the leader of the minority and opposition party, the Conservatives, is and they will be able to tell you David Cameron. Walk down any street in any town in American and ask 10 Republicans (if you can find that many today) who the RNC chairman is, or more simply who their state chairman is. If you want to be really daring, ask them who the minority leader in the House is. I guarentee you 8 of those 10 won't be able to tell you any of them, and maybe one of the other two will be able to give you more than one name.

British minority parties have clear leadership. They have someone who stands at a podium and says, in no uncertain terms, I am the leader, and this is what we believe. Howard Dean followed this model to a certain extent during his term with the DNC over the past few years. The next RNC chairman needs to do this to an even greater level.

The rank-and-file of the Republican party will be looking for leadership over the next two years to regain ground in the capital, and in the state legislatures. Whether it is the RNC chairman, the state party chairman, or even the town committee chairman, it needs to be clear who is in charge and what the direction of the party needs to be in that area. Without clear leadership, no one will know where to follow.

The Spark to Ignite the Fire

Who among us in the party circle has not wondered whether or not the party can redefine, recreate, and rebuild its image after the devastating loss of a month ago. Last night, I saw the spark that can ignite the fire and return the Connecticut Republican Party to glory.

At our Holiday Party last night, over 50 Connecticut Young Republicans gathered for a few drinks, a few laughs, and the ability to connect with other YRs across the state. Nearly 40 toys were donated on our behalf to the Toys for Tots Charity. It was, to say the least, inspiring.

New Britain Mayor Tim Stewart, CTGOP Chairman Chris Healy, and State Rep. Sean Williams (R-68) all had inspirational messages to deliver to the gathered future leaders of our party. The message was the same: We may be down, but we are not out. We have great potential within our party, many of whom were in attendence last night.

All of our work will begin very soon, as we move to keep the House Seat of Kevin DelGobbo (R-70). This will be the beginning of a new chapter in the CTGOP story. A young, viable candidate will be put up to move the fire into Hartford. 2009 will be a year to remember.

One More Race

On behalf of the Connecticut Young Republicans, we would like to extend our congratulations to State Rep. Kevin DelGobbo (R-70), who will be taking on a job as commisioner at the Department of Public Utilities. Kevin has been a leading voice in utility, technology, and environmental control for a long time, and we all know he will do great work in his new position.

However, this means that we have another race on our hands. On January 7th, 2009, Kevin will not take his oath of office for the CT General Assembly. Governor Rell will then declare a vacancy in the seat and a special election will be held around the end of February.

You can bet your life on the fact that the Democratic party in Naugatuck is going to put a strong candidate up to take the seat from the Republicans. We cannot sit idly by and allow this to happen.

The State Party is already down in its numbers, and we need to make sure we do not drop another seat. This has been our seat for a long time, and we need to keep it.

As we get more information on who will be running, etc. we will let you know. In the mean time, please gear up for just one more race. The CTYRs have the opportunity to play a huge role, and I know we will. Republicans are good at special elections. Very good. Let's help keep up the streak.

One More Seat. One More vote

"This is not the time for political fun and games. This is the time for a new beginning". When Ronald Reagan uttered these words so many years ago, he had no idea that they might become what should be the new banner quote for his beloved party years down the road. We must activate, we must regenerate, and we must become the party we once were, the party we were meant to be.

Today in Georgia, we had what could be the start of that permanent party revolution. Saxby Chambliss has won his reelection to the United States Senate in the runoff election. Now some people may view this as the last chapter to a stunning and near caustic defeat of the Republican Party in 2008. But maybe, just maybe, there is is a better point of view, one with hope for the future, and lessons from the past.

In a year where even in Republican safe seats, losses occured or victories were ne'er as sweet as in years past, a Republican sailed to victory with 59% of the vote. Now some of you may say, "well Duh, its Georgia." But remember, the GOP lost seats in North Carolina and Virginia, which some may say should have held to the same results.

Let Saxby's race be our banner. Let it be proof that while down, the GOP is not out. Let this be our inspiration. We have 2 years and while bittersweet, we have what may be called a victory, in holding off the fillibuster proof majority in the Senate. One more seat, one more vote, one more piece of loyal opposition in the House of Lords.

It is time to rebuild and bring fire back into our withered hearts. It may mean redefining ourselves in someways, self examination and self criticism to know what we did wrong, and what we can do better. But we cannot continue to let ourselves down. We need Saxby Chamblisses all across the country. And that's the metaphor. Standard Bearer for a party desparate for and capabale of a win.

The North Face Continuum

There is a new fight out there among the politcal parties and operatives of the world. And it's not for an office, or control of a legislature, or really any kind of elected or appointed position, it's for the support of a new group of people. The 18-29 year old demographic represented the single largest increase in voter turnout for a specific age demographic in the 2008 election. And, while completely expected still astonishing (if that is really even possible), the end result was an overwhelming support for President-Elect Barack Obama.

The 2008 general election saw between 22 and 24 million voters of this age come out, close to 50% of the eligible voters in this bracket. The results? 66% for Obama, with his supporters outnumbering McCain supporters nearly 2 to 1. Shocking, but near impossible not to have seen this coming.

Perhaps it has a great deal to do with something that is impossible not to see on a college campus across the country: The North Face Continuum. Stand in a single spot on any campus you choose for more than 10 minutes, especially during the time classes are changing, and you will see no less than 75% of the female (and sometimes, although to a lesser extent, male) students wearing identical North Face Fleece jackets. Probably about 98% the same black zip up jacket, with the occasional brown.

You may be wondering what a jacket has to do with a Presidential election. Well here it is: the pressures of group conformity. Think about how many young people are enviornmentalists or anti-war, in essence how many follow a liberal path of thinking? I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a liberal point of view, just that the amount of youth who subscribe to it seems to be disproportinal to the amount of youth who actually know what they're talking about.

A recent poll sourced from the Carnegie Mellon's Student newspaper, said that only 37% of voters this age look for a candidate who agrees with them on the issues. Seems to me that that number should be a lot higher. For a group of voters who cares so much about the issues, they certainly don't have a great deal of prevalance in their political selections. But their friends are voting for Obama so they do to.

Its not the quality of the jacket that's appealing, it's the style.

A Call to Arms

It has been a long time since this blog has been active, but get ready beacause we're coming back full force. Seems strange to do this now with the party in such a disarray and pretty much on its last go around the race track. So why this, why now? The answer, my friends, is so much simpler than we realize.

700 days. It seems like a long time, but before we know it, the next set of elections will be here. Regardless of whom we voted for to be the next President of the United States, or the next member of Congress or our State Legislature, the Republican Party cannot simply sit around and let this opportunity pass us by. The American people and the residents of the great state of Connecticut have seen fit to put forth Executives and legislators of overwhelmingly Democratic affiliation. That’s okay though, because partisan politics is good, partisan politics is what the founders had in mind. It ensures that the minority opinion is heard.

But what color is in control of the houses of the legislature should be immaterial to the overarching principle of democracy: to govern. The Republican Party has the opportunity to rethink, regroup, and rebuild. No one has ever said it was going to be easy, but in the end, it will be worth all of the effort that we will have put into action. The next two years are going to be crucial in our efforts to strengthen our party and reclaim our territory on the map of the American political world. Are we going to sit in the corner and sulk because we did not get our way? No. Now is the time to step up and prove that partisan bickering aside, we stand to serve the people of our state and nation.

To govern is to choose, and it would seem that our party has two choices: play the role of the immature child who holds its breath and stomps its feet when daddy says no to a candy bar, or the role of the wise and sage trustee of the American people. We do not have to work for the Democratic Party, but we do need to work with them. When we do, when we set aside any excuses that anyone may have to say that the GOP is vindictive and bad for the American people. There is only good, there is only the opportunity to speak. Let us be vocal in our opposition to the ideals we do not believe in and do the same in support of the ideals we hold true. Let us raise the level of public debate in this world and let that be our legacy