Let's Roll!

“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy,”

- Daniel Webster

McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 327 (1819)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Care and Affordability Act, commonly known as "Obamacare," has been called a "huge victory for the Obama Administration."  Well, anything that's a "huge victory" for Obama and Company is a huge loss for Americans who treasure their freedoms and religious liberty.  

In a case of supreme irony, the High Court's ruling that Obamacare is "constitutional" and the individual mandate is a tax on the American people comes less than a week before Americans celebrate our independence from British tyranny.  King George III would have been hard-pressed to match the effects of this decision, which should galvanize freedom-loving patriots into action.

As you may know, Florida federal District Judge C. Roger Vinson ruled the individual mandate unconstitutional in January.  He said, “Never before has Congress required that everyone buy a product from a private company (essentially for life) just for being alive and residing in the United States. If [the government] has the power to compel an otherwise passive individual into a transaction… it is not hyperbolic to suggest that Congress could do almost anything it wanted.”

I refuse to hand down a country to my children where unelected bureaucrats control their healthcare and Congress can do "almost anything" it wants.  

It's nineteen weeks to Election Day.  Let's roll! 

P.S.: We've just seen how nine unelected people in black robes can change the face of the nation with the stroke of a pen.  Remember, the president appoints to the U.S. Supreme Court bench.  If you don't vote for any other reason, vote for that one.

ObamaCare -- It's a tax!

The Supreme Court verified Obama lied when he said in 2009 "This isn't a tax". Ironic isn't it? Republicans have all along called it a tax and politicians such as Sen. Cantwell and Reps Inslee and Dicks said it wasn't. For those who claim Obama didn't lie, the only other possible explanation is he's no constitutional 'expert'. Perhaps students who had him as a lecturer should get their money back.

 Now, every member of Congress who voted for ObamaCare and swore it wasn't a tax should be pilloried at the polls for having lied. They voted in one of the biggest middle class tax increases ever. Since Medicare roles will increase 33%, it will go bankrupt much sooner and government debt will increase accordingly -- on Obama's watch.

Other questions remain unanswered. Will a disabled veteran who gets most but not ALL care from the VA now be required to buy a full health insurance policy? How about a veteran that gets some care from the VA? Where's the dividing line? Will unions and Democratic favored companies still get those waivers? 

It's imperative that conservatives demand answers every time a progressive comes to the County. Where does Derek Kilmer stand on this? I've emailed him and will post his answer...if he gives one. Until then...presume he doesn't.

CAO Cost to Grays Harbor

RE:  County increases buffers to development near streams

Posted June 20, 2012 on Clallam County Citizens Review Online (expanded 6/28/12)

I know that by the stroke of their pens the Commissioners virtually eliminated the possibility of me selling the ten acres of bluff ridge above Geissler Road. Why? Because the county has a roadside man-made ditch they claim occasionally has sculpin in it. Thus it is classified as ‘fish bearing’ and establishes a 140-foot buffer, which then tracks along that lot’s entire bluff edge. So, the county loses the potential revenue from building two homes, and because the property has great views, there may be a loss of bringing professionals and their jobs into the county. Good going Commissioners! You just screwed the County out of more jobs and tax revenue!

Similarly, an adjoining neighbor has a building site the new buffer now makes impossible. The chances of them of following their plan to move from California, building a house, and retiring here now are greatly diminished. That means more lost jobs!  Great legacy you’re creating.

For every action the County Commissioners take, there is a cost that should be stated in the article. Did the Commissioners discuss how many millions of dollars of lost development, tax revenue, and lost jobs at the meeting? If not, WHY? Why didn't the press ask? Every decision should be quantified.

I did a rough estimate of what I believe the cost to be: $128 million. It’s calculated by an estimated 1000 miles of Class W and F waterway in the County; water front property being worth $6,000 more per acre than non-water front; and property owners losing the use of a net 180 feet (90’ X 2) of land from the water. That means lost jobs, lost investment, and lost property and sales tax income. Lower property and sales tax revenue means many fewer teachers, firefighters, and police. How many construction jobs are eliminated by Willis and Wilson voting for the CAO? Our legislature and local politicians, by not standing up for the county residents, have demonstrated yet again that the I-5 Corridor politicians control the Peninsula, and their intent is to de-populate it. No doubt preventing development is the intent of the CAO – look at the culprits – they’re all progressives. Remember that at the polls.

Futurewise follows the Agenda 21 goal of concentrating population into urban centers and reducing rural development. From Futurewise’s own websitehttp://futurewise.org/about/ourvalues/document_view

“Tackling traffic problems

“Vehicle miles traveled has grown four times faster than population in the Puget Sound region. Sprawling development that separates housing from stores and offices force people to drive. Futurewise’s work helps create communities where mass transit, bicycling and walking are real options for people.

“Promoting economic fairness

“Channeling growth into urban areas encourages job creation in the places where most low income people and people of color live. It reduces the burden on lower-income taxpayers to subsidize the extension of public services like sewers and roads to new, higher income developments in rural areas, and it helps maintain the tax base that cities need to tackle poverty and fund public education.

“Protecting farmlands and food production

“Urban sprawl consumes thousands of acres of Washington’s prime farmland every year, making our food system less sustainable.

“In Walla Walla County we protected more than 770,000 acres of rural land from sprawl development.”

Note that they don’t promote property rights, and entrepreneurial job creation. They are part of the Agenda 21 movement.

How many Grays Harbor County acres did Futurewise get Willis and Wilson to prevent from development? And subsequently how does this reduce higher property tax receipts, and job creation? That economic analysis should have been discussed BEFORE a decision was made.

2012 Washington State Republican Party Platform

2012 WASHINGTON STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
TACOMA, WA
June 2, 2012

Platform Committee Co-Chairs
Matthew Pederson and Lori Sotelo

Washington State Republican Party
Kirby Wilbur, Chairman

PREAMBLE
The Washington State Republican Party is dedicated to preserving a constitutional republic through active participation by citizens for the protection and preservation of conservative values including: the sanctity of human life; preserving a free society, free markets, and free trade; limited government; low taxes; minimal bureaucracy; strong national defense; and private property rights.

We believe that government should do for individuals only those things they cannot do for themselves and should be based on respect for each person’s ability, dignity, and liberty. Good citizenship begins with protected rights and ends with accompanying responsibilities.

We reaffirm the words in the Declaration of Independence, “That all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”

It has been over two centuries since our Founders established the American creed — government under God and accountable to the people. We believe their vision is best preserved by supporting the policies outlined below.

Section 1: We believe CIVIL and RELIGIOUS LIBERTY protect the sovereignty of the individual citizen.

Civil and religious liberties recognized in the U.S. Constitution are God-given and therefore unalienable. These fundamental liberties are protected in the Bill of Rights and reaffirmed in Article I of the Washington State Constitution. It is the obligation of government at every level to observe and respect these liberties. The role of the judiciary is to uphold the law in a manner faithful to the original intent of the state and federal constitutions. It is essential that the judiciary honor legislative intent and understand that the power to write law is vested in the legislature or the people.

Section 2: We believe in restoring the Constitutional sound MONETARY SYSTEM.

Inflation, skyrocketing debt and global economic instability are the consequence of a debt based monetary system utilizing fiat currency. The privately held Federal Reserve Bank and US Government precious metals holdings must be audited periodically by the Governmental Accountability Office with the ultimate goal of transitioning to a federal money system rooted in tangible commodities traded in open markets.

Section3: We believe ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ensures that each generation is better off than the one before it.

The greatest economic opportunity can best be achieved through imposing as few restraints as possible on private property, industry, recreational opportunities and trade. Private sector job creation, entrepreneurship, and keeping businesses and industries in our country and state are best achieved by minimizing business and personal taxes, limiting regulatory law, adopting right to work legislation, removing prevailing wage laws, and by maintaining a sound monetary system which is not fiat debt based.

Section 4: We believe LIMITED GOVERNMENT is essential to a free society.

Our Founders created a Constitution of limited and enumerated powers, underscored by the passage of the Tenth Amendment. We uphold strict compliance with the constitutional limitation of the federal and state governments and believe limiting the role of government is essential toward building economic prosperity and fostering individual freedom.

Section 5: We believe a STRONG AMERICA is a free America.

A strong America is a force for good at home and abroad. Republicans support and honor the past and continuing service of all veterans and members of the United States’ armed forces and the Washington State National Guard. At a time when the United States faces a variety of threats ranging from Jihadist terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and rogue regional powers, it is important to endorse policies that will ensure peace through strength. National security is best preserved when America’s national sovereignty is never abdicated to any foreign or international organization.

The safety of the United States and the stability of the world is undermined when a President unilaterally weakens our deterrence posture by announcing that he will not use all available military power to deter aggressive actions by other nations.

United States foreign policy should support our national security and economic interests. We support our allies, such as Israel, as well as all people seeking freedom from repressive regimes.

Section 6: We believe our BORDERS are best protected by a fair and enforced IMMIGRATION policy.

The United States government must protect all of our borders from illegal crossings; therefore, we support the enactment of a temporary guest worker program, which includes proper security measures, and that all existing immigration laws should be enforced immediately.

SECTION 7: We believe the FAMILY unit is the cornerstone of a free and moral society.

It is the duty of parents, not the state, to guide their children to be responsible citizens. Government’s responsibility is to uphold and respect traditional institutions, such as marriage between one man and one woman; to protect the elderly and children from the harmful elements of society; and to defend the unalienable right of human life, from conception to natural death.

Section 8: We believe EDUCATION is critical to equip our children to be productive and responsible citizens.

Priority needs to be given to each family to guide and influence the education and training of their children. This is best achieved by offering various ways families can provide for their child’s education through home schooling, private schools, public schools, school choice through vouchers, and charter schools; AND by giving parents a voice on school boards to determine education priorities and materials with minimal state guidance and freedom from union and federal intervention. Where state guidance is used, it should be limited to promoting the basics of reading, writing, science, math, civics and founding documents, history, and economics.

A strong higher education and vocational training system is critical for economic vitality. State supported institutions need to give priority access to Washington state students. Colleges and universities should focus on promoting academic freedom by emphasizing courses that promote understanding and practical application of each discipline and avoid indoctrination and political correctness.

Section 9: We believe the greatest HEALTHCARE system in the world is best preserved by minimizing government control.

Citizens should have the ability to choose an affordable healthcare plan to meet individual needs. This is accomplished with competition among nationwide healthcare providers, health savings accounts, fewer mandates and tort reform. Physicians, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations must retain the right to practice in a manner they believe is ethical and to exercise freedom of conscience. We call for the repeal of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

Section 10: We believe PROPERTY RIGHTS are civil rights.

The proper role of government is to protect “life, liberty and property.” Washington Republicans believe there is a fundamental relationship between free societies and the protection of private property rights. When governments expand the amount of land they own and abuse the power of eminent domain and regulatory takings, everyone’s freedom is at risk.

We oppose any governmental acquisition of private property without constitutional due process and just compensation.

Section 11: We believe that upholding our RULE OF LAW and JUSTICE, based upon our Constitution and Judeo-Christian heritage, that recognizes INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, best protects and promotes a moral society.

We support an individual’s 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear Arms as the first line of defense to maintain the rule of law.

Laws should reduce and deter crime through strong and appropriate punishment. Effective criminal justice systems respect each citizen’s right to not be held without charges or representation, and include the appropriate use of the death penalty, strict punishment and control of sexual predators, deter recidivism and, whenever possible, require criminals to fully compensate those they have harmed.

Section 12: We believe America must balance our need for ENERGY with the preservation of our ENVIRONMENT.

Energy policy must allow America to access and use its abundant energy resources. Creativity, technological development and market driven application of science and technology will determine the most efficient, cost effective and cleanest uses of energy resulting in a prosperous economy.

We support a clean, healthy environment and management of our natural resources in order to sustain our diversity of species and landscapes while permitting access to these natural resources for the creation of wealth and the meeting of human needs.

We recognize that practices such as agriculture, timber harvesting and mining may change environments and landscapes and require practical stewardship to minimize negative impacts, prevent pollution, and promote restoration.

Climate change occurs naturally and warming from human generated greenhouse gases has yet to be proven. Well researched peer reviewed papers are being presented proposing other mechanisms that influence the earth’s climate. The ongoing debate should take place without external pressure where scientists are free to present various theses without fear of retribution. At present climate change science does not provide sufficient basis to formulate public policy.

SECTION 13: We believe the engine of economic growth is privately held AGRICULTURE and TIMBER LANDS.

Societies rise and fall based on the strength of the nation’s agriculture. The free market is the best mechanism to secure a strong agricultural base. Abundant, domestically produced fertilizer and access to essential technology and equipment is critical to our national security.
We insist on the sale of surplus public lands to the private sector to make more lands available for agriculture and the development of natural resources, and to help retire sovereign debt.

SECTION 14: We believe the TRANSPORTATION system is important to our economic survival and quality of life.

Our transportation system, comprised of roads, rail, air, and waterways, as well as our ports and ferries, play important roles in moving people and products in Washington. Policies should provide effective and efficient systems and not artificially control transportation choices. Transportation agencies must be accountable to the tax payers through ballot measures, performance audits and audit enforcement.
Section 15: We believe the INITIATIVE PROCESS is essential to providing a legislative voice for all the citizens of Washington State.

The Washington State Constitution provides, “The first power reserved by the people is the initiative,” and, “The second power reserved by the people is the referendum.” These fundamental rights of initiative and referendum should be free from unnecessary and burdensome regulation imposed by the state. We support prohibiting legislative abuse of emergency clauses to circumvent the people’s power of initiative and referendum.

Section 16: We believe the preservation of LIBERTY is dependent upon the sanctity of our NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

The US Constitution is our supreme law of the land. The President shall not negotiate and the Senate shall not ratify any treaties, U.N. resolutions, agendas or foreign law, religious or otherwise, that are contrary to the US Constitution. Agenda 21, the Kyoto Protocol, Sharia Law, and others threaten our sovereignty. Therefore, judges, state and local authorities must be barred from using foreign agendas, laws, and resolutions for the purposes of interpreting United States law.

Jesse Young Endorsed by Washington Farm Bureau

June 12, 2012, Tacoma, WA– The Washington State Farm Bureau PAC endorsed Jesse Young for Congress from Washington’s 6thCongressional District on Monday.

Washington Farm Bureau is a grassroots advocacy organization representing the social and economic interests of farm and ranch families at the local, state and national levels.  By providing leadership and organizational skills, the Farm Bureau seeks to gain public support on the issues affecting farm and ranch families. Farm Bureau has more than 40,000 member households across the state.

Dan Wood, Farm Bureau’s associate director of government relations said “Jesse is a true friend of the entrepreneur and small business.  Our farmers and ranchers need representatives in DC who know how business works and how government policies can impact them.  Jesse understands the needs of the 6th District and will represent us well in Congress.”

“I’m delighted to receive this show of support from the Farm Bureau,” said Jesse Young.  “Farmers and ranchers are the foundations of their communities and are important to the economy of the 6th District.  I look forward to working with them and representing them in Washington, D.C..”

Jesse Young is leading the Republican field in endorsements.  He’s the only candidate with an official party endorsement - the Grays Harbor Republican Party gave its endorsement last fall and provided an unprecedented show of support by adoption of a Resolution reaffirming that endorsement at the County Convention this spring.  He has received numerous endorsements from elected officials and other candidates for office as well.   Jesse Young has achieved “On the Radar” status with the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Guns program.

Jesse Young is a GOP candidate for the 6th Congressional District. He has built a strong grassroots campaign and been endorsed by many Republican leaders. Young is also an information Technology consultant whose global business experience in a variety of industries will help the 6th District create jobs for the 21st Century. Jesse grew up impoverished and sometimes homeless in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, and now resides in Gig Harbor with his wife and five children.

WSRP State Platform 2012 Adopted

Delegates to the WSRP State Convention voted to adopt the proposed party platform at the state convention on June 2.  Flanked by a huge American flag and replica of the Declaration of Independence, Platform Co-Chair Matthew Pederson read aloud the entire four-page, sixteen-section document to the convention.  Its preamble reads as follows:

The Washington State Republican party is dedicated to preserving a constitutional republic through active participation by citizens for the protection and preservation of conservative values including: the sanctity of human life; preserving a free society, free markets, and free trade; limited government; low taxes; minimal bureaucracy; strong national defense; and private property rights.

We believe that government should do for individuals only those things they cannot do for themselves and should be based on respect for each person's ability, dignity, and liberty.  Good citizenship begins with protected rights and ends with accompanying responsibilities.

We reaffirm the words in the Declaration of Independence, "That all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."

It has been over two centuries since our Founders established the American creed - government under God and accountable to the people.  We believe their vision is best preserved by supporting policies outlined below.

Sixteen sections address a variety of topics and issues including follow and address civil and religious liberty, economic opportunity, limited government, national security and peace through strength, immigration policy, family values education, healthcare, property rights, the initiative process, and national sovereignty. 

   The platform specifically calls "for the repeal of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare" (Section 9). Section 16 affirms the U.S. Constitution as the "supreme law of the land." It says "The President shall not negotiate and the Senate shall not ratify any treaties, U.N. resolutions, agendas or foreign law, religious or otherwise, that are contrary to the U.S. Constitution."  Specially cited are Agenda 21, the Kyoto Protocol, Sharia Law, "and others that threaten our sovereignty."  It calls for judges, state and local authorities to "be barred from using foreign agendas, laws, and resolutions for the purpose of interpreting United States law."

The four-page platform was adopted in the final minutes of the Saturday session.

Retiring State Auditor Brian Sonntag Says James Watkins "Particularly Well Qualified" for Open State Auditor Position

James Watkins, GOP candidate for state auditor, recently released the following:

In his strongest statement to date, Brian Sonntag said James Watkins “is particularly well qualified based on his background and experience to advance the auditor’s office and be an independent advocate for taxpayers.” 

In a wide ranging interview on May 24th in the NW Daily Marker, outgoing State Auditor Sonntag also discussed the race to fill his open seat, the role of the auditor’s office, and his impressions of the other candidates.

“I’m thrilled to earn Brian’s trust in my abilities,” said Watkins.  “He’s done an amazing job for Washington’s taxpayers, championed open government, and elevated the State Auditor’s Office.  He’s very clear about what it will take for his successor to successfully serve the taxpayers of Washington State.  I’m delighted he thinks I have the right stuff!”

In the May 24th Freedom Forum State Auditor’s Debate in Kirkland, in front of an enthusiastically responsive crowd, Watkins clearly laid out his case for the opportunity to serve as state auditor.  

"The state auditor position is a job for an independent professional, not a politician. That’s why Brian Sonntag says I’m “… particularly well qualified based on [my] experience and background to advance the State Auditor’s Office and be an independent advocate for taxpayers.”

I have the judgment and real world experience to make sure we get a dollar’s value from every dollar we pay in taxes. 

• I’m the only candidate running who does performance audits and assessments for a living – and have been an executive and principal consultant in professional services organizations with up to 600 employees.
• In the 23 years since I earned my MBA, I’ve done over 150 performance audits and assessments. 
• I’ve worked successfully with major federal agencies, non-profits, and innovative private sector organizations to make them faster, more effective, and more efficient – and we need more of that in Olympia, not less! 

The fact is, my opponents are professional politicians who have voted repeatedly to weaken the auditor’s office, massively increase state spending, and hike taxes. Now, they’re asking you to trust them to audit and evaluate the very same government programs they voted to create! That’s like asking a fox to watch the henhouse.

We need government we can trust. Citizens won’t allow the legislature to raise taxes: efficiency and cost savings are the only way to fund our shared priorities while rebuilding voter trust.  As your state auditor, I pledge to drive efficiency and effectiveness; to limit fraud, waste, and abuse; and defend and expand open, transparent government."

More information is available at www.WatkinsForAuditor.com

WA State National Delegates Elected

The following individuals were elected as national at-large delegates and at-large alternates at the Washington State Republican Party held in Tacoma on June 1 and 2:

National at-large Delegates:

Marcy Collins

Jack Hamilton

Brian Heywood

Hossein Khorram

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

David Nelson

Pam Roach

Dino Rossi

Luane Van Werven

Trina Wilbur

National at-large Alternates:

Creigh Agnew

Sue Collett

Charlie Crabtree

Ann Donnelly

Dan Elenbaas

Helen Lavoie

David Mann

Sarah (Sally) Pollak

David Shemwell

Lisa Shin

Electors:

Jeremy Deutsch

David Elliot

National delegates elected from the Sixth Congressional District are:

Marilyn Jensen

Joe Siegel

Ron Talcott

National alternates elected from the Sixth Congressional District are:

Donna Hamilton

Anna Souza

Willard Swiger

Elector (6th C.D.):

Jack Hamilton