Goodbye 2018

Goodbye 2018.
Many former Connecticut Taxpayers said goodbye to Connecticut in 2018.
In 2019 many Connecticut Taxpayers will also say goodbye to Connecticut.
They will move out of state.
In 2019 Connecticut will see probably the same that it has seen since 1991 when the state income tax was enacted.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see higher taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more budget deficits.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more state union and state management employees receive raises in their salaries, benefits and pensions.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more short and long term debt.
Connecticut Taxpayers will see total short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities exceed $100 billion dollars over the next year.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see higher property taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more businesses moving out of state.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see less jobs in the state due to the increase to $15 for the minimum wage.
Connecticut Taxpayers will see tolls.
And once again a failed Connecticut Democrat Party liberal economic tax and spend agenda will be forced upon Connecticut Taxpayers with little discussion or transparency or challenge from the Connecticut Republican party.
1991.
2019.
The same story and the same failed results-different years thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
Once again it is time to take back Connecticut. 
It is no different than it was in 1991.
We are still waiting for change.

Connecticut's Misguided Tolls

Tolls here.  Tolls there.  Tolls everywhere.  New union jobs here.  New union jobs there.  New union jobs everywhere.
A new liberal euphoria is spreading in Connecticut today with the new Lamont administration.  It can be summed up with yet a new tax being dictated to Connecticut Taxpayers.  It can be summed up as being equal to the second state income tax for Connecticut Taxpayers.
It is of course Tolls.
Tolls are a wonderful tax for Connecticut bureaucrats.  Studies have been made on tolls funded with Connecticut Taxpayers monies that are secret in nature.  It is difficult to gain information on them since the Connecticut Democrat Party does not wish to either discuss them nor disclose the amount of tolls they wish to place on the roads.  It was not an issue in the last campaign according to the state media. 
What is lost in the debate about tolls is both the economic impact it will have on the state increasing the cost of living dramatically for Connecticut Taxpayers and the amount of federal funds that will be lost because tolls have been implemented.  In my opinion there is no possible way tolls will either offset the amount of funding currently being given by the Federal Transit Administration which $703 million dollars (2017)) and or increase revenue for the state unless the state implements the highest toll roads in the country.  Someone in our state government needs to answer this question immediately before any more Connecticut Taxpayers monies are wasted on more "toll studies".  If tolls pass one will argue that Connecticut Taxpayers taxes have now increased by another $703 million dollars plus the costs to implement the tolls.
Naturally those politically connected will be exempt from the tolls through various amendments to the toll bill when enacted.  We as Connecticut Taxpayers will not be.
The new toll costs will be passed on by every business that must travel in the state through higher prices for their goods and services.  The cost of living in Connecticut will skyrocket again.  The working middle class will once again be forced to sacrifice to pay this new tax and their standard of living will become lower again thanks to these new tolls.
Thus in 2019 we will be entering our 28th year of the recession in Connecticut.  Connecticut will once again be last in all economic development and job creation categories, first in the country in state tax rates and highest local property taxes, first in the country with net population loss, and last in consumer confidence.
The new flight from Connecticut has started again.  Like it is has been for the past 28 years since 1991.

Can Ned Lamont Separate Himself From One Party Rule?

I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont can separate himself from his own party. Omnipotent one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party has hurt our state economy over the years.  Corporate welfare, political nepotism and unrealistic and unaffordable union and management salaries, benefits and pensions has created for the state $80 to $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
And a progressive agenda is being touted by the Connecticut Democrat Party in the new legislature that includes a $15 minimum wage (which will ultimately cost jobs in the state and increases the costs of doing business in the state), paid by employer family and medical leave (increasing the costs of doing business in the state), legalization of recreational marijuana (that will cause more short and long term medical costs and issues) and tolls (which will increase the costs of doing business in the state and for all who drive).  I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont realizes the costs to all of these progressive programs as an individual who was involved in the real business world.  Or does he just accept as fact that the Connecticut Democrat Party dictates to the new Governor what he can and can’t do.  Sort of like in a socialist state.  Which in reality what Connecticut has become over the years due to the Connecticut Democrat Party and omnipotent one party rule.
Thus it will be interesting to see what direction Governor elect Ned Lamont goes in.  A party loyalist or someone who realizes the dire economic conditions that exist in the state at this time?  More and new taxes or cuts in taxes to stimulate the state economy (sort of like what President Trump has done with the national economy).  More heavy handed governmental regulation or less governmental regulation.  A user friendly state government for its taxpayers or the continual aggressive and abusive state agencies that are allowed to do as they please with a taxpayer be damned attitude and actions.
Again, I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont can separate himself from his own party.
And which direction does he take?

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Many Questions:No Answers

I have many questions but no answers.
1. What is Governor Lamont's plan to pay down Connecticut's short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities of $80 to $100 billion dollars?
2. What is Governor Lamont's plan to lower Connecticut's energy costs which are the highest in the country?
3. What is Governor Lamont's plan to end corporate welfare and pay to play schemes in Connecticut?
4. What is Governor Lamont's plan to stimulate Connecticut's weak economy?  Through higher and new taxes?
5. What is Governor Lamont's plan to safe guard Connecticut's future elections so that they do not resemble and emulate elections in socialist countries?
6. What is Governor Lamont's plan to end corruption in Connecticut's state government?
7. What is Governor Lamont's plan to end corruption in Connecticut's major cities?
8. What is Governor Lamont's plan to provide for school choice in Connecticut?
9. What is Governor Lamont's plan to restore business confidence in Connecticut?  Through higher and new taxes?
10.  What is Governor Lamont's plan in anything?

As a legal taxpayer I would like to know, fast.
And I miss Ella Grasso and honest politicians.
Buyers remorse.  Coming in 2019.

Connecticut's State Government Constant Problem

Connecticut's state government has a constant problem.
It never has enough money to spend.  It always runs deficits.
It has close to $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
Since the state income tax was passed in 1991 state spending has increased in excess of 300 percent with no end in sight.
State taxes had tripled in some cases since 1991.
Connecticut ranks near last or last in ,many economic and business categories since that time.
Connecticut really still has yet to recover from the last recession.
And there is no end in sight as to any plans to address spending and or the massive debt the state has.
The state has lost a great deal of population since 1991 and also a great deal of legal taxpayers in that time also.
It is one of the few states that has a net migration of population out of the state.
Jobs are difficult to come by in the state since there are high taxes and a poor transportation infrastructure.  The poor transportation infrastructure will get even more costly as tolls in 82 different locations will implemented by the omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party who controls all parts of our state government.
Taxes are likely to be raised once again since the next four years will bring more political patronage spending and more debt.
Thus, Connecticut's state government has a constant problem.
It never has enough money to spend.  It always runs deficits.
And once again there are no solutions offered by the party that is always in power and has failed for many years now to resolve the economic issues we face.
May Connecticut Rest in Peace. 

Connecticut's Election Issues

In my opinion Connecticut has election issues and fraud.  Non residents in the form of college students who live in dorms at Connecticut's colleges get to vote on election day utilizing a provisional ballot concept that allows them to register and vote on the same day of the election.  This year was no different than any other year as Registrar of Voters were overwhelmed by the number of students who decided to follow this procedure in New Haven (Yale University), Middletown (Wesyelan University) and Storrs (University of Connecticut).  In New Haven apparently new voters were sworn in after the election ended, ballots were soaking wet and these actions and votes were apparently accepted by the Democrat Secretary of State's office.   Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski filed a late legal appeal of these issues but decided to cancel it when he decided that he lost the election.  I feel this was an incorrect move on the part of him and the Republican Party for not challenging these problems. 
In Ansonia two absentee ballots were counted over 200 times.  Now that race is being recounted for State Senate as Republican George Logan is shown in the lead at this time.
In Stratford Republican candidates were not on 79 ballots.
There are several other examples throughout the state.  Obviously the Connecticut Republican Party is powerless to question one party rule.
Thus the Omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party controls all parts of state government yet again with a little help from non Connecticut resident votes.  And we apparently will have yet again the same majority and minority leaders in both the House and Senate, there will be no change.  And we should be seeing the third failed term of Dan Malloy recreated with Ned Lamont and the same stale leadership in the House and Senate.
Thus Connecticut went into a further and deepening economic crisis this past Tuesday evening.  Connecticut's large corrupt cities control the suburbs and thus the state itself. 
Connecticut voters are evenly divided in my opinion however suburban Republican voters can not compete with City Democrat Rent a Voter schemes and fraud that continue each election day.
Thus the next four years will be a repeat of the last eight years-new and higher taxes, higher salaries, benefits and pensions for state management and union workers along with massive deficits adding to the unyielding long term debt the state has and now tolls.
Connecticut is now a Socialists dream state ranking along with New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California.
Connecticut can no longer be considered "The Constitution State" how about instead "The Socialist State".
May Connecticut Rest in Peace.

It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018-Vote Republican

November 6, 2018.  The time has come to vote.  The time has come to vote Republican for a change.  It is time for the great silent majority of Connecticut to stand up and make their voices heard against the tyranny of what our state government has become.
It is time to take back Connecticut from the economic nightmare that the Connecticut Democrat Party has created.
It is time to end the long incompetent rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party and all of its cancers that it has spread in the state and state government.
It is time to bring transparency to state government.
It is time to cut spending on state management and state union salaries, benefits and pensions.
It is time to address the $80 to $100 billion dollar state debt we have from short and long term borrowing and unfunded liabilities.
It is time to stop corporate welfare and pay to play schemes created by the Connecticut Democrat Party.
It is time to end taxpayer funded sanctuary cities.
It is time to end counting mileage driven and reimbursed towards state pensions.
It is time to end counting overtime towards state pensions.
It is time to end voters who are dead from voting in our state elections.
It is time to lower taxes and repeal the state income tax has that help lead our state into economic Armageddon.
It is time to end omnipotent one party rule in state government.
It is time to have government work for taxpayers not taxpayers work to support a ruling political elite.
Enough is enough.
This has been a typical brutal election here with the usual lies and threats created by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  The Connecticut Democrat Party serves itself and its special interests not the Connecticut Taxpayers it supposedly represents.
The problem in Connecticut is the Connecticut Democrat Party.  They need to be voted out of office this election. 
It is time. 
Vote the entire Connecticut Republican team on November 6.

What Is The Connecticut Democrat Party's Plan For The Future?

What is the Connecticut Democrat Party's plan for the future of the state?  If we are to understand the answer to this question it will probably be more the same that we have seen for the past eight long and hard years of Democrat rule.
We will see new and higher taxes.
We will see tolls on many of the roads in the state.
We will see higher salaries, benefits and pensions for both state union and management workers.
We will see increased corporate welfare for businesses that are willing to pay for play using Connecticut taxpayers monies.
We will see Connecticut's big bankrupt cities like Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford have their state funding increased along having most of their debt be picked up by Connecticut taxpayers.
We will see more people move out of state to continue the enormous net migration out of Connecticut.
We will see more and new levels of corruption in our state government.
These visions are real if we are to once again vote into office one party rule and allow the Connecticut Democrat Party to control all levels and divisions of our state government.  The candidates that the Connecticut Democrat Party have decided to run are weak and are controlled by the party machine.  There are no new thoughts other than the same mantra of higher taxes, higher spending and more debt will solve all of Connecticut's problems.
We all now it hasn't and never will solve our problems.
It is time to take back Connecticut in November before it is too late.
It is time to end one party rule.
Vote Republican this November.

What Is The Real Platform The Connecticut Democrat Party Is Running On In 2018?

I am confused as a voter.  I do not understand what the real platform the Connecticut Democrat Party is running on in 2018?  Is it based on their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?  If so then the platform is one of new and higher taxes along with increased borrowing, higher salaries, benefits and pensions for state management and union workers.  Is it based on the results of the two highest tax increases in the state's history over their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?  If so their platform will discuss the failures of these tax increases to improve Connecticut's economic health.  Is it based on the results of the early prisoner release program they have championed in their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?   If so their platform will explain why we are much less safe in our homes and in our streets in 2018 especially in our cities.  Is it based upon millions upon millions of dollars being spent on toll studies in their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?  If so their platform would show that we have not been give any accurate figures as to how much revenue these tolls will bring to our state nor how much these tolls would cost and where they would be located.  Is it based on the amount of Connecticut Taxpayers monies have been to given to businesses free in the form of free and forgiven loans, tax credits for supposed jobs retained and overall corporate welfare programs in their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?  If so their platform would show a political economy in which a business must pay to play and that there is little to no oversight in these political patronage corporate welfare programs that have done next to nothing economically for our state economy.  Is it based upon Connecticut's ranking in the country in economic and business categories in their last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut?  If so then their platform would show Connecticut ranked last and or near last in all major economic categories.
That is an amazing platform to run on in 2018 for Democrat candidates.  Connecticut's media is fixated on condemning the Republican candidates and their platforms of cutting taxes, cutting the bloat in state government, salaries, benefits and pensions and saying no to tolls.  Obviously this real Republican economic platform that actually questions the enormous waste we have in Hartford is discounted and made fun of.  While the real platforms of the last eight years of one party rule here in Connecticut is embraced and made to look like an economic utopia.  I really don't understand any more how and why would Connecticut Voters who are legal citizens of our state and pay taxes would vote for any Democrat running for state office given the true state of our economy?
Is it time to take back Connecticut with new elected officials and new economic ideas.  Is it time to take back Connecticut with a common sense approach to how our government runs. Is it time to take back Connecticut with state government working for Connecticut Taxpayers not Connecticut Taxpayers being enslaved to a politically corrupted Democrat one party rule that has failed miserably for the past eight years.  Is it time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Connecticut's $53,400 Per Taxpayer Debt:Another Democrat Sinkhole State

Connecticut according to a recently released report by truthinaccoutning.org ranked Connecticut 49th out of 50 states in fiscal health due to its massive debt.  If you live in Connecticut you owe the state $53,400.  $53,400 is owed by each taxpayer because the state in its efforts to hide the real economic truth has over $80 billion dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, short and long term debts and bonding.  The state is basically broke as its costs exceed its revenues even with the largest two tax increases in the country during the current Malloy regime. 
$53,400 is a great deal of money that is owed by each taxpayer in our state.  Thus we can logically assume that if the Connecticut Democrat Party sweeps this coming election in November, a bill will be introduced by several of the more extreme, socialist Democrat members of the state legislature to add a surtax to the remaining middle class taxpayers to pay off this debt of $80 billion dollars.  They will do this under the guise of fair taxation robbing those who work for a living to give to their politically connected elite who have run our government into the ground.
I have made a point over the years to expose this debt and keep it at the forefront of our state's economic ills but to little avail as the state legislature in their quest to hide the truth from Connecticut's taxpayers keeps sliding items off budget and into the black hole of unknown accounting procedures.  The real debt of Connecticut is sickening to think about especially now that it is fast approaching $100 billion dollars with many items being swept off budget.  It is alarming to have this high debt especially when seeing how small our state is and how little population we have left.  These remaining taxpayers have to support the politically chosen who have exploited our government through massive state salaries, benefits and pensions along with businesses who receive legal kickbacks of no cost forgiven loans and tax breaks to stay in the state with little or no oversight by the state agencies who are supposed to oversee these programs.  It is political corruption at its worse.
Connecticut Taxpayers during this election somehow have to understand the Connecticut Democrat Party playbook that they can do no wrong with yet even new and higher taxes and tolls while the Connecticut Republican Party can do no right with cutting state spending and cutting taxes.  The state's biased media embraces the Connecticut Democrat Party while it crucifies the Connecticut Republican Party.  It is the same old story.
I believe that Connecticut Taxpayers are fed up with the extremes and corruption of the Connecticut Democrat Party.  They are seeking a change in the damning swamp called Hartford and its bloated, inefficient, and corrupted state government.  They no longer want their tax monies to support this type of failed government. 
The change can only be seen in voting a straight Republican line for our United States Senator and House Representatives along with Republican majorities in the state house and senate working with a Republican Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Secretary of State and Comptroller.  Maybe a change in our state government will allow Connecticut to stop being a sinkhole state and start to prosper once again.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Connecticut Needs A Republican Senator. It Needs Matthew Corey

Connecticut needs a Republican Senator.  It can not afford another six years of the simpleton explorations of its current junior Senator Democrat Chris Murphy.  Murphy is all of his years in elected office has accomplished next to nothing in legislation and in helping Connecticut Taxpayers both when he was a Representative and now as a Senator.  He talks the strict Democrat party line and apparently loves to walk through Connecticut and get loads of press for himself and his ego.  He has raised a staggering sum of campaign money in order to eliminate any and all competition to his Senator for life job.  
Republican candidate for Senate Matthew Corey faces an uphill battle to beat Murphy in November.  You see Corey works for a living as compared to the Democrat incumbents running for United States Senate and the House of Representatives.  You see Corey is actually productive in our society and our economy unlike the Senator for life he is running against.
Corey has a variety of real world experiences that gives him an edge in this race in my opinion.  He is a United States Navy Veteran.  He owns his own business.  He is a supporter of President Trump.  His website http://www.coreyforsenate.com/issues discusses his pro business, conservative stances on job growth, the national debt and the issues of our educational system.  Connecticut could use a person who actually knows how to run a business and has the understanding of what is necessary to help create jobs especially in job short Connecticut.  Corey is undergoing a difficult race however I believe that many Connecticut Taxpayers have had it with the status quo of its paid political ruling elite telling us what we can and can not do to protect their political self interest.  Republican candidate Matthew Corey represents a breath of fresh air for our state and deserves your vote.
Connecticut can not afford the Connecticut Democrat Party any more.  It has ruined our state.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018. 

Connecticut Needs A Republican Governor. It Needs Bob Stefanowski

Connecticut needs a Republican Governor.  Connecticut can not afford the third term of Dan Malloy and his failed economic policies.  Connecticut can not afford yet more and higher taxes along with greater borrowing and new bonds for frivolous projects.  Connecticut can not offer higher state salaries, benefits and pensions to the politically connected who obtain these state jobs.  Connecticut can not continue to use taxpayer funded corporate welfare to supposedly create and retain unknown jobs that can't be verified by the state department in charge of them.  Connecticut can not afford a horrific state agency in charge of children and their welfare to be as mismanaged as it is allowing suicides to occur without any repercussions to the employees of that agency.  Connecticut can not constantly be last in all economic categories such as job creation and business friendliness year in and year out.  Connecticut can no longer afford an omnipotent, arrogant, and economically illogical Democrat one party rule that governs with no rhyme nor reason making state government their personal piggy bank for corruption.
Connecticut needs a fresh start.  Connecticut needs Republican Bob Stefanowski to be voted into office as our new Governor.  Mr. Stefanowski is great alternative to the tax and spend, nepotism policies of his challenger Ned "Malloy" Lamont.  I see little if any difference between Malloy and Lamont other than Lamont has great wealth that he will protect while forcing once again the working middle class to pay more in taxes to Connecticut.  I envision more of the same with a "Malloy" Lamont Administration meaning that we will have tax increases, more businesses and individuals will move out of state, and the political gravy train known as Hartford will reap Connecticut taxpayer funded rewards.  Connecticut taxpayers will again work the longest in the country under the third term of Malloy to satisfy the massive local, state and federal tax burdens they endure each year as our Tax Freedom Day is the latest in the country. 
Something has to change.
Something has to give.
The pro business and pro taxpayer policies of Republican Bob Stefanowski need to be given a chance to flourish and reverse the economic nightmare we have lived through for too many years now.  Economic freedom and a change in the way state government runs is essential to get Connecticut back on track.  It can only happen in the November election with a Republican Governor working with a Republican majority in the State House and State Senate being voted into office. 
Connecticut can not afford the Connecticut Democrat Party any more.  It has ruined our state.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

The Connecticut Democrat Party's Delusional State Economy

Are the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers better off than they were in 2014?  2010?  According to Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party you are supposedly better off than you were in those years and thus you must vote to keep the status quo of omnipotent one party rule continuing in Connecticut by electing Democrats this November.  Malloy has stated that the state is in much better shape today than when he took office in 2011.  Malloy and his fellow Democrats are delusional since the state has lost a massive amount of economic ground with enormous tax increases along with chronic budget deficits with close to $80 to $100 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities especially in state pensions.   Connecticut continues to rank near bottom in all economic categories in the country.  Malloy's approval numbers are horrific. Connecticut thanks to the Democrat Party and its omnipotent one party rule for years is in poor economic health and lacks a viable plan to address its massive debt.  Instead Connecticut works for its ruling elite cutting deals for jobs and bonds for its political pay offs.  How any Democrat running for office can state that Connecticut is on the right economic track is a delusional thought.  Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party want you to believe that high taxes, a lack of job creation, political pay to play schemes, corporate welfare, political patronage jobs to get a full state pension after ten years of work and never ending union agreements are the norm. It is the way the Connecticut economy works for them and to their advanatge.  And Connecticut taxpayers should continue to pay for it without debate, without question and most importantly without resistance.
Economic resistance in the form of voting against all Connecticut Democrat candidates running for both state and national office should be unquestioned.  Yet the biased state media continues to work in step with the Connecticut Democrat Party in order to maintain this delusional economic status quo that has hurt our state for years to come by never questioning these policies or illegal actions. 
What will happen in November?  Voters are supposed to believe biased polls which favor Connecticut Democrats showing somehow they are in the lead in all state races.  Did the polls show President Trump leading?   Connecticut voters need to turn out in massive numbers in a few weeks and vote out of office this tired one party rule that has brought Connecticut to its economic knees.  The Connecticut Democrat Party's economic programs and policies do not work and have not worked for years now.  They do not deserve reelection.  We need an economic change in Connecticut.  Much lower taxes, economically friendly business policies and much lower and more efficient state spending is essential in 2019.  The delusional state economy that we have today must end.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018 by voting into office Republican candidates at all levels of government.

Diane Pagano For State Representative 103rd District

Connecticut's 103rd State Representative District is an odd shaped district that encompasses parts of Wallingford, Cheshire and Southington.  I personally do not like the way the state's districts are carved up as it is irrational to have towns split up the way they are.  For example Wallingford depending on where you live has one of four different state representatives.  The state is a classic example of gerrymandered districts favoring the Connecticut Democrat Party.
The 103rd District is currently represented by Democrat and former announced candidate for Lieutenant Governor liberal Liz Linehan.  Linehan is not "moderate" in any way contrary to what she is trying to come across as.  Linehan has done little for her district and in my opinion does not deserve reelection especially when it comes to her votes on raising taxes, toll studies and spending. She has fallen in line with her fellow Democrats.
Diane Pagano represents a breath of fresh air for this district as a successful conservative and business owner.  She is in favor of limited government, opposes tax increases and runaway spending.  She is against tolls. We see the confusion on the part of current Representative Linehan position on tolls apparently not understanding the first multi-million dollar taxpayer funded  study on tolls only to vote again in lockstep with her fellow tax and spend Democrats for yet another $10 million dollar study on tolls. Linehan along with her fellow Democrats will not address nor give us their plan to address the $60 to $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that Connecticut's Taxpayers are responsible for. 
Diane Pagano has real world business experience along with great compassion for her fellow citizens and taxpayers of her district. Her real life experiences are essential for our state government and to bring Connecticut out of its economic nightmare.  Diane Pagano is the right candidate at the right time.
It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.  It is time for a new State Representative in the 103rd District.  It is time to vote for Republican Diane Pagano.

Don Crouch For State Representative Wallingford's 85th District

Don Crouch is the Republican candidate running against State Representative liberal Democrat Mary Mushinsky who has been in office since 1981, 37 long years.
Mushinsky has voted for the state income tax and for every tax increase in the past 37 years that has come up for a vote in the House.  She is a one dimensional candidate concerned only with environmental issues and has done little to address any of the pressing economic issues of the state.  She is only heard from in the years that she running for reelection with her taxpayer funded newsletters discussing the great job she is doing representing the special interest groups that run Connecticut.  Her ideas are stale and in my opinion she does not have a clue as to what is going on in her district nor with the economic debacle that she has helped to create in our state economy.
Don Crouch who graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1992 and is active in Wallingford.  He is a small business owner, a Commissioner of the Wallingford Recreation Commission, a member of the Wallingford 350th Jubilee Committee, Plan of Conservation and Development Implementation Committee, the Wallingford Republican Town Committee, and the Wallingford Elks Lodge.  He is a family man living in town with his wife and two daughters.  He is against tolls for the state and plans to oppose restrictive regulations on businesses and fight a proposed $15 minimum wage.  
Connecticut has massive economic issues to deal with that Mushinsky has avoided her entire career.  The most important question that she will not answer is what is her plan to address the $60 to $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that Connecticut must pay in the future?  We can't tax ourselves any more out of the economic mess we are in nor be held hostage to special interest state labor groups both union and non union that dictate to Connecticut Taxpayers what they can have and not have.  Enough is enough of State Representative Mushinsky's tax and spend policies that have made Connecticut an economic nightmare with businesses and citizens moving out of state on a daily basis.
It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.  It is time for a new beginning in Wallingford's 85th District by voting for Republican Don Crouch for State Representative.

 

Ned Malloy-Lamont=More Taxes For Connecticut Taxpayers

Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont seems to the second coming of Dannel Malloy, Connecticut's failed Governor who recently had a 15% approval rating (ranking him last in the country).  Lamont is a clone of Malloy it seems.  He has embraced tolls for the state.  He is embracing both higher state income taxes and local property taxes.  He has no plan to address the $60 to $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with the states unfunded liabilities.  He has no plan whatsoever to cut state spending.  It seems to be a rewind of the past eight years of the Malloy economic debacle.
Yet Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont seems to be embraced by the fellow Democrats, anti-President Trump followers and the state's media.  He is also very wealthy which is perfectly acceptable for Connecticut Democrats (as seen by Senator for Life Richard Blumenthal) but it not acceptable for the Republicans to run a wealthy candidate for Governor in Bob Stefanowski.  Does anyone see any irony here?
I see a state in economic turmoil.  A state where only a small group of state management and union employees are capable of controlling state spending and using government to their personal economic advantage.
Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont is actually a good choice for the Connecticut Democrat Party this election.  He embraces all of what is wrong with the state in the name of hyper liberalism and the total disrespect shown by the Connecticut Democrat Party to the Connecticut Taxpayer.
Therefore, Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont deserves to lose by a large margin in November.  Many Connecticut Taxpayers and Connecticut businesses are sickening by the thought of third term of the Malloy Administration in 2019.  They are sickened by the thought of the tolls and yet even higher taxes that Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont will bring to the state. 
Which path will state voters turn in November?  Connecticut Democrat Candidate for Governor Ned Malloy-Lamont is the path to Connecticut's economic ruin in my opinion. 

The Connecticut Republican Primary On Tuesday August 14th-Part 2-The Governor

For remaining Connecticut voters who both are registered as either a Democrat or as a Republican there will be a primary this Tuesday August 14th to choose candidates for state wide offices.  This column is a continuation of yesterday's endorsements for the Republican primary.  Today I will examine the candidates for Governor and make my endorsement.
Sixteen candidates declared their intentions to run for Governor before the state convention.  Five are remaining vying for the victory on Tuesday.  Three have no political experience and two have political experience.  The Connecticut Republican Party once again has the non politician rich person influence in their candidates as has been seen over the years starting way back in 1992 when millionaire Brook Johnson defeated Convention endorsed United States Senate candidate Chris Burnham in a primary.  Johnson then lost to Chris Dodd in the general election and was never heard from again.  Connecticut is in horrific economic shape with one of the highest aggregate tax rates in the country, $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities and is at or near the bottom of 50 states in the areas of business development, business creation, new jobs created (less than 6000 jobs  since 1989.)
Coming out of the state convention Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton won the party nomination with one vote over the 50% needed to gain the nomination on the third ballot.  Boughton ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2010 with unsuccessful candidate Tom Foley.  He was also a State Representative from 1999 to 2003.  In my opinion he is a moderate/liberal Republican who has done a good job in Danbury which has traditionally been Democratic.  His 10 point platform includes phasing out the state income tax over ten years, cutting state spending, and making Connecticut business friendly again to name several areas.  His plan can be viewed at boughton2018.com/10-point-plan.  Boughton is an interesting candidate as he does have experience in Hartford as a former legislator and knows the bureaucracy of Hartford.
Gaining enough delegate support out of the convention to primary Boughton is former Trumbull Selectman Tim Herbst.  Herbst is a principled conservative in our liberal state.  Depending on what you read Herbst either saved Trumbull financially or has driven Trumbull to the ground.  In my opinion he did what he needed to do in Trumbull to get it back on its feet financially and helped grow the town economically.  I do know that he raised taxes there due to state mandated programs that the town was required to provide, however this is an issue in all 169 Connecticut towns and cities including in fiscally conservative Wallingford (where taxes have been raised under a fiscally conservative Republican Mayor).  Herbst ran for State Treasurer in 2014 losing by less than 20,000 votes in that election showing to me that he has both name recognition and is electable on a state level.  He is offering an exceptional plan to help restore law and order in Connecticut and is offering also a strong economic plan.  His website offers more information at timforconnecticut.com.
The third candidate that came out of the Convention with enough support to enter the  primary was non politician Steve Obsitnik who is a Navy Veteran and a High-Tech CEO.  He offers an outsider view of the states problems and has major plans to help create jobs in the state.  He offers his ideas and platforms on his website steveobsitnik.com.
The two other candidates who are running for Governor petitioned their way on the primary ballot avoiding the state convention.  In my opinion this is both good and bad.  Good in the sense that they are saving their money and resources to avoid the convention while bad in that they are ignoring the party process and its local towns and cities committees to get their points across.
Bob Stefanowski who was a registered Democrat in October 2016 then registered as a Republican in July 2017 and has not voted in any elections for 16 years is a self funded candidate running in this primary.  His economic plan that was developed with Dr. Arthur Laffer includes phasing the corporate income tax and business equity tax over two years, phasing out the state income tax over eight years and the elimination of the estate tax.  His plan can be viewed at bobforgovernor.com/economic-plan.  Stefanowski has a hard core group of supporters but I question his lack of votes over the years.
David Stemerman is also running a self funded campaign and has similar economic plans as the other candidates looking also at public/private partnerships to help rebuild the states infrastructure.  In my opinion he is the most analytical of all of the candidates and has a strong background to start the long process of fixing Connecticut.  His platforms can be viewed at davidstemerman.com
Five candidates running who to vote for?  I have been inundated with mail, email, phone calls, calls from friends all urging me to vote for their choice.  Each candidate has strong qualities and each candidate has weaknesses.  One will win on Tuesday.
I am going to vote for Tim Herbst.  I know my decision will upset some voters and will be embraced by some voters.  In personally talking to him, reading his platforms, studying his record and campaigns, I feel Tim Herbst has the drive and determination to take back Connecticut this November.  His youth which many feel is bad, (I ran for Town Council In North Branford when I was 22 years old back in 1981) is an asset in my opinion.  He is and has been a principled conservative in our liberal state.  I believe after much study, analysis and thought a Herbst/Markley ticket can be the impetus for the overdue change in Hartford's government. 
I know many feel the same way as I do.  Good luck to all Republican candidates on Tuesday.

The Connecticut Republican Primary On Tuesday August 14th-Part 1

For remaining Connecticut voters who both are registered as either a Democrat or as a Republican there will be a primary this Tuesday August 14th to choose candidates for state wide offices.
I will not be examining any Democrat candidates in this column as I am not a Democrat and I feel they have a made a mockery of our state by allowing an ex felon to run for Governor.  They also in my opinion have run the state into the ground economically and morally.
Thus there are several candidates running on the Republican side that in my opinion are worthy of your vote if you are a Republican voting on Tuesday.  I have already endorsed what I feel is the best Republican candidate overall for public office State Senator Joe Markely for Lieutenant Governor.  Senator Markley is a principled conservative who has been an outspoken critic of Governor Malloy and his tax and spend policies.  Senator Markley has been a champion of Connecticut taxpayers fighting against the economically illogical tax increases that the Governor Malloy has forced upon the state. He believes and has fought for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty throughout his political career and has stayed true to his conservative principles throughout his terms as State Senator.  By far and wide he is the choice for lieutenant governor.
For United States Senate I favor Dominic Rapini who is a political outsider running against the Chris Murphy do nothing political machine.  His beliefs are logical and needed for our state and our country.
From his website: www.dominicforsenate.us/about
Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.
Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.

Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.
My column from 6/23/18 discussed the excellent qualifications for Sue Hatfield for Attorney General.  Her qualifications and experience make her an excellent choice for a pro business and economic growth Attorney General.
For Treasurer I support Thad Gray.  He offers professional experience to handle the complexities of this position in a non political manner.  
From his website he offers his platform:  thadforct.com
*Manage state pension plans professionally to achieve the highest possible return.
*Protect the public interest by making sound investment decisions with no political or social agenda.
*Strongly advocate structural reforms to address Connecticut’s massive unfunded pension liabilities.
*Provide direct communication to beneficiaries and taxpayers, whose security depends on successful investment results.  
For Comptroller I support Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller who has done an excellent job in turning his town around financially.  You can read more about him at his website: kurtforct.com
Part 2 will be my discussion and endorsement for Governor.

Connecticut Jobs? 30 Long Years And Counting Representative Mushinsky.

The Connecticut Democrat Party makes me laugh.  The state economy in their limited view of the world revolves around a political patronage system that protects the salaries, benefits and pensions of both state management and state union workers.  There is always a need for state employees even though the state is bankrupt with $60 to $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
I laughed even harder when I received via email Democrat 85th District State Representative Mary Mushinsky's grand announcement of all of the new jobs in Connecticut.  Quoted from her email of 7/23/18: "Connecticut’s economy is seeing significant improvement with jobs being added to the workforce and unemployment at an historic low. According to the state Department of Labor, more than 6,000 jobs were created in June and the Governor reports Connecticut has added more than12,000 jobs in two months. Private sector employment now stands at more than 111 percent, fully recovering from pre-recession levels.  I believe Connecticut’s economic growth is a direct result of business-friendly policies my colleagues and I have championed in the Legislature."
Apparently after 30 years Connecticut has regained all of the jobs it lost since the 1988 recession!  What an accomplishment!  Representative Mushinsky who has been in office since 1980 has voted for the state income income tax, tolls, the two highest tax increases in the state's history along with every other tax increase in the 38 years she has been in office.  As a reminder to Representative Mushinsky, Wallingford has lost one of its largest taxpayers, Bristol Myers Squibb since it is closing its operations in November of this year.  Many high paying jobs are lost from this closing, many families who work there are moving out of Wallingford thus depressing housing prices in town and a massive amount of local tax revenue will be lost.  Thus I can not see how these supposed "business-friendly policies my colleagues and I have championed in the Legislature." did in keeping Bristol Myers Squibb in Wallingford nor their jobs being replaced as the new owners of the building wish to tear down this 30 year old building and replace it with a warehouse.
I also do not see how Connecticut has "business-friendly policies" since the state ranks at or near bottom in many business categories such as taxes, starting a new business, regulatory environment, economic climate and growth prospects to name a few areas.  If these "business-friendly policies" were working Connecticut would not have taken over 30 years to regain jobs it lost so long ago.  And how much do these new 6,000 jobs pay?  Or are they entry level service related jobs that pay minimum wage?
The Connecticut Democrat Party's economic policies have failed the state miserably for the past 30 years.  Representative Mushinsky and her party's platform have contributed greatly to our state's economic decline.  We can not afford another two years of her tax and spend policies in Wallingford nor of the lies of the Connecticut Democrat Party that are force fed to us on a daily basis.  Wallingford Taxpayers and Connecticut Taxpayers have had enough.  Maybe just maybe we could get a new State Representative to actually represent taxpayers in the 85th District in November.

Yet Another Bad Week For Connecticut Taxpayers

It was another bad week for Connecticut Taxpayers thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
First I wonder how many of my readers received a bonus lately.  I know I did not.  I know in the three jobs that I have I have not received a raise in three plus years at two of them and the other one it has been two years.  But for employees of Connecticut state labor unions it was payday with $2000 plus bonuses being paid out this week as part of the secret SEBAC agreement that was negotiated by Governor Malloy and the state unions.  This bonus agreement just cost Connecticut Taxpayers $80 million dollars at the beginning of the new fiscal year 2018-19.  The new fiscal year already has massive projections of major budget deficits in it.
The second piece of bad news for Connecticut Taxpayers is that they get to pay for a $10 million dollar political study for the implementation of tolls in the state.  Even though various toll bills have been voted down and testified against by many drivers and groups in the state, the Malloy regime wishes to force feed the tolls on the state as yet another tax cure all.  Tolls and the shear volume of them that the state wishes to install would make Connecticut one of the most heavily tolled set of roads in the country.  But then again when is any tax is disliked by the Connecticut Democrat Party?
The third item that engages good old Connecticut Democrat Party political patronage is the appointment of former former Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra to fill a vacancy on the state Workers’ Compensation Commission at a salary of a mere $160,000 per year all along with all of the fringe benefits that the job comes with.  Segarra lost his bid for re election in 2015 to hand appointed Malloy wonder boy candidate Luke Bronin who has done little if anything as Mayor of Hartford other than beg for money.  Segarra as you may remember thought he should have been appointed to a judicial nomination by the governor under a secret process after he lost his election.  That process included a closed-door vote in his favor by the state Judicial Selection Commission which was brought to light and subsequently led to his withdrawal for that position.  But don't worry political payoff came for Segarra through this political patronage taxpayer funded job a little later than what was promised by the Connecticut Democrat Party. 
Thus is was yet another bad week for Connecticut Taxpayers thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.  More money wasted to add to the $60 to $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded state liabilities that Connecticut Taxpayers owe.  And voters should remember these horrific, economically destructive and long years of omnipotent one party- the Connecticut Democrat Party rule on election day in November.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

The Future Of Connecticut?

What is the Connecticut Democrat Party's plan for the future of Connecticut?  I really do not know since they have not articulated any logical plan to save Connecticut from economic destruction.
Since it is election time the Connecticut Democrat Party candidates running for office for the first time and for reelection are cautious in their thoughts.  For example, State Representative for life Democrat Mary Mushinsky, Wallingford's 85th District has sent out a Connecticut Taxpayer financed reelection 4 color pamphlet extolling the virtues  and benefits of what she has supposedly done for the past two years in Hartford.  Mushinsky discusses liberal surface issues with no mention of the economic turmoil that has been dumped on the Connecticut Taxpayer by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  Reading this pamphlet I could not help but laugh at her statement on Public Act 18-41 "An Act Concerning Prescription Drug Costs"  Mushinsky stated: "By collecting more data and holding drug companies accountable, we can get closer to lowering drug costs for Connecticut residents."  It is interesting to note that Wallingford's largest taxpayer, Bristol Myers Squibb (a drug company) sold their building, will not relocate in town or in Connecticut causing many jobs to be lost and a massive amount of tax money to be lost to Wallingford.   I did not see that being mentioned in Mushinsky's reelection flyer.   Nor did I see anything about a plan to address Connecticut's $60 and $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  Oh well I guess that debt does not matter to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
The Connecticut Democrat Party's two candidates for Governor are equally economically inept to address Connecticut's $60 and $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  Both ex felon current Bridgeport Mayor Joe Gamin and multi-millionaire liberal Ned Lamont have not mentioned any plans to resolve Connecticut's perpetual debt crisis in curbing both increases in taxes and spending.  Both candidates embrace an economically unsustainable long term contractual agreement with its state unions who in turn embrace all things Democrat in the state.  Connecticut Taxpayers can expect much higher taxes with either a Lamont or Gamin Governorship.
What is the Connecticut Democrat Party's plan for the future of Connecticut?  Does Connecticut even have an economic future?  I really do not know.  Nor do I understand why anyone in November would vote for any of these candidates especially for Governor and here in the 85th District?
Connecticut is in desperate need of a change in their elected officials.  It can only occur by voting differently this November.

Connecticut's Poor Economic News Continues

While the Connecticut Democrat candidates for both state and national office continue to condemn President Trump and all things Republican in their campaigns, the states poor economic news rolls on.  The latest two economic issues that should be at the forefront of this election but are not include the constant Connecticut budget deficit which is now estimated at $595 million dollars and that Connecticut has only recovered 81% of its jobs lost since the 2007-08 recession which is now one of the lowest recovery rates in the country.
This news should scare any elected Democrat elected official but somehow is it ignored by both them and the media.  It should front page news but it isn't.  The voters of Connecticut are force fed the Democrat line of all of what President Trump is doing is wrong and what the Connecticut Democrats have been doing has made Connecticut a Utopia.
The continuing issues of a budget deficit will be a major problem for the upcoming fiscal year.  Connecticut is broke.  Its short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities are between $60 and $80 billion dollars.  This is an enormous sum for a state as small as Connecticut.  Years of continual Democrat rule has led our state to the path of economic ruin.
But who cares?  Not the media nor the Connecticut Democrat Party.  This election should focus on the state economy and its governments overspending problem.  It is not.  It is focused on President Trump and the dynamic national economy (that is not evident at all in Connecticut), transgender bathrooms and illegal immigrants supposed Connecticut Constitutional rights.  These are Connecticut's most important issues?  Are these issues going to help create non Connecticut Taxpayers funded jobs (unlike Connecticut Taxpayers funded jobs for Bob's Stores, Jackson Labs, etc.)?  Are these issues an actual plan to pay off $60 to $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along funding the exorbitant long term pension liabilities that have been promised to state workers who in some cases do not even contribute to their pensions?
No the Connecticut election of 2018 is more of the same stale rhetoric and avoidance of real economic issues by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  And it is time for the Connecticut Republican Party to develop a clear economic plan and path to help create an economic recovery for 2019 so that the state can share in the current national economic expansion and prosperity that has been nurtured and enriched by President Trump and his economic policies. 
How much longer do Connecticut Taxpayers have to be governed by the failed economic policies of the Connecticut Democrat Party?  The time to the election becomes shorter each day.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

242 Years of Freedom July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2018

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated  Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

What Would You Like To Be In A State Bill For Yourself And Or Your Family? UConn's Randy Edsall Got His-What About You?

Head UConn Football Coach Randy Edsall was given a gift by Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz by inserting secretly in a non related bill a provision to allow him to allow Edsall's son Corey to be the UConn Tight Ends Coach in the final minutes of the Legislative session.  This is against the law in the state as Connecticut has rules prohibiting the hiring of relatives to work together in state jobs and the state ethics commission ruled against the hiring also.
But really what control does any Connecticut government agency have when dealing with political nepotism and favoritism?  None as exhibited by the total disrespect that Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz has for rules and the law that govern those who work for the state of Connecticut.  Edsall's case whether or not you are a football fan is wrong.  If Mr. Edsall was worried about his son getting a job on his coaching staff he should have pursued a job at a private college that allowed that.  But again as we have seen so many times in our state a political ruling class dictates to Connecticut Taxpayers what they can or can not have.  Political nepotism rains supreme in Hartford led by Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz and his Democrat Party.
All Connecticut Taxpayers in my opinion should be given the same treatment as Edsall and his son.  What do you want to be inserted in a bill that will directly benefit you and your family?  Whatever it is you should send it to your State Representative and State Senator for inclusion in a bill in the next legislative session.  If all legal Connecticut Taxpayers did this maybe just maybe the rule and law of Connecticut would actually be enforced.
Connecticut Taxpayers have little if any trust in our state government.  Connecticut's state government as seen by yet another example of political nepotism in the Edsall/Aresimowicz case works for the benefit only of its union and management workers to enrich their salaries, benefits and pensions and for those of their families.  This current example is a sickening excess of our political system.  It is ethically wrong and against the law.  But that does not stop our valueless elected officials and their constant schemes to manipulate government to their advantage.
I and many others see Connecticut government as a decadent and perverted system that only serves the politically connected.  This decadent and perverted system needs to end now. 

Republican Sue Hatfield For Attorney General

As the primary season heats up there are also under ticket campaigns going on.  Several weeks ago I endorsed State Senator Joe Markley for Lieutenant Governor.  Today I am looking at the Attorney General race.  Connecticut's Attorney General is an important position as it defends the state itself, its agencies and holds representation for its citizens.  One may remember several years ago when we subjected to the tyranny of Attorney General now United States Senator Richard Blumenthal as he proceeded to attack many businesses in the state through massive litigation (for example the nightmare Valerie Hoffman, a vendor of herbs and tea went through).  Blumenthal was ranked the second worse Attorney General in the country in 2010 by the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Blumenthal as Attorney General got an "F" grade in each of the four judging criteria by the Institute that included ethical breaches and selective application of the law, fabricating law, usurping legislative powers and predatory practices.  He loved to sue utilizing Connecticut Taxpayers monies to his political gain.  Makes you wonder why he is our Senator today?
The office then moved to the passive pro Democrat Party terms of George Jepsen who is all things Democrat for his party.  He ruled naturally that the Connecticut State Constitutional Spending Cap voted into law legally was illegal and unconstitutional.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has held the Attorney General seat since 1954.  The combined records of Blumenthal and Jepsen are poor and horrific at best putting their politic careers and nepotism above the law.  
Sue Hartfield received the Republican nomination for Attorney General and is being forced into a primary by John Shaban.  

I am voting for and urge my readers to support Sue Hatfield for Attorney General.  She is a breath of fresh air for this office as she has taken strong stands for personal and individual liberties in our state and is also interested in saving Connecticut Taxpayers monies by "review of state contracts and bond packages to root out waste, fraud and abuse that heap needless costs on overburdened state taxpayers."  On the subject of forced union dues she believes in: "State law should protect state employees from being forced to donate part of their salaries to support the political action funds of state employee unions. Laws governing the state’s collective bargaining process are up to the General Assembly, but I support a more balanced and transparent bargaining process, including Right to Work legislation, which would help the state compete for business and jobs."  https://www.hatfield2018.com/ 

She is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and is against Sanctuary Cities.  

Sue Hatfield is an excellent candidate for our new Attorney General.  I believe she will restore confidence to this office and not use it for personal glorification nor political gain.  It is time to take back this office from the exploitation that has occurred during the Blumenthal and Jepsen regimes.  

Connecticut: Who Wants To Be Governor Of The Swamp?

One could argue that Connecticut's state government is a swamp.  And this Connecticut swamp needs to be drained immediately.  But will the upcoming election be an opportunity for the political swamp to be drained?
Connecticut's economy is in poor shape.  For the past eight years we have seen a mass migration out of Connecticut of taxpayers and businesses.  For the past eight years we have seen a massive increase in state taxes.  For the past eight years we have seen laws broken by the Connecticut Democrat Party with no repercussions.  For the past eight years we have seen a state constitutional spending cap be totally ignored by our elected officials.  For the past eight years we have seen pay to play Connecticut Taxpayer funded corporate welfare at its worse.  For the past eight years we have seen the state's short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities skyrocket to well over $80 billion dollars.  For the past eight years we have seen the state rank last or near last of all 50 states in all economic and business related categories.  
The Connecticut Taxpayer funded state government political swamp needs to be the issue in the November election.  Connecticut Taxpayers can disregard any messages being sent by the two Democrat candidates for Governor as they are incoherent, biased and economically irrational.  One could further argue as to why a convicted felon is being allowed to run for Governor?  One could also further argue that the Connecticut Democrat Party is void of ideas, void of ethics, void of economic plans, void of accomplishments and has created the mess that the state is in today.  That is the real record they are running on in November.  For them to try to make President Trump the issue this election is illogical, incoherent and a desperate attempt on their part to avoid their horrific record of governing for too many years now.  They are the swamp. 
Thus who really wants to be Governor?  The Democrat candidates and their stale ideas of more spending and more taxes will once again resolve Connecticut's economy is unjustifiable.  They have no new ideas and or programs.  The Connecticut Democrat Party only concern is protect their political nepotism and their political patronage spoils system that is funded by Connecticut Taxpayers.
The solution in November is not to elect or re-elect any Connecticut Democrat.  It is a simple yet complex solution.  Complex as many current Connecticut Democrat elected officials lose their seats in November they will be rewarded with new and high paying do nothing Connecticut Taxpayer funded state jobs before the end of the year.  Yet they will finally be out of office once and for all.  And the swamp known as Connecticut government will start to drain ever so slowly of its cancerous debris and garbage that has plagued our state for too many years now.
 

Connecticut: A Politicians Adult Playground

When I was younger I enjoyed playing in our school's playground.  The swings, the ball fields, the climbing bars and see saws were a great source of fun and good memories growing up in the 1960's.  Back then we did not have to check our messages on our phones, we could actually grow and learn, we did not have to hear political correctness in the classroom, we could learn to think, rationalize and reason and most importantly actually learn new ideas, concepts, and knowledge.  Skills to live in society.
In 2018 children grow up in a vastly different environment with strict controls and schedules.
Why do I bring this up in a political opinion column?  For the simple reason I can compare the playground of my youth to the carefree playground that is called Connecticut state government that is financed by you and I-Connecticut Taxpayers.
Connecticut Taxpayers foot the bill for the Connecticut politicians adult playground that is enjoyed by our elected officials, state union and management workers, state retirees along with the special interest groups that receive free taxpayers monies for their businesses.  This Connecticut adult playground is tough to get invited into as one must pay to play in it through a vast web of political donations, correct connections to employment (even though the person does not the qualifications for the job), special lobbying of elected officials with proper contributions to those same elected officials,  and secret agreements between state officials, agencies, state unions and certain hand chosen businesses that can not be viewed or questioned by Connecticut Taxpayers.
This Connecticut adult playground is free of worry or care as the only concern for many of Connecticut's elected officials is to control the press and get reelected to office for as long as possible.  This Connecticut adult playground is a place where no new or higher tax is cared about as in the playground only new and higher taxes are good and tax cuts and tax reform are bad.  In this Connecticut adult playground no laws exist and any law can be broken or manipulated to the benefit of the elected official, state official or state worker.  Laws only exist for Connecticut Taxpayers who foot the bill for this Connecticut adult playground.  This Connecticut adult playground has been nurtured and developed for years now with the Connecticut State Income Tax leading the way in its construction. 
This Connecticut adult playground has helped to bankrupt Connecticut both financially and morally.  Connecticut's short and long term debt along with its unfunded liabilities is between $60 and $80 billion dollars. Connecticut's debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio is at a staggering 20% and growing.  Is there possibly a plan to address this in the upcoming election?
Connecticut's current economic path is unsustainable and ready to collapse under this unyielding debt.   Connecticut will soon have junk bond status in the future and be unable to borrow monies to run this Connecticut adult playground.
Connecticut Taxpayers are tired of paying for this economic debacle.  This Connecticut adult playground needs to be destroyed.  Eliminated in 2018.

For Sale: Connecticut Buddy Can You Spare Me $9,000,000?

Connecticut is for sale.  Would you like to buy it?  Would you like to be Governor?  If you do do you have any plans or ideas for the state to get it out of its economic decline?
The 2018 Connecticut Democrat Party edition for Governor is more of the same.  Connecticut Democrats offer two choices in their upcoming possible primary.  The endorsed candidate Ned Lamont is a liberal multi millionaire.  His plans in my opinion are an extension of the last eight failed years of the Malloy Administration.   He will support state unions, increase taxes along with saving the environment.  His opponent is a convicted felon currently the liberal Mayor of Bridgeport Joe Gamin.  Gamin's plans in my opinion are an extension of the last eight failed years of the Malloy Administration.   He will support state unions, increase taxes along with saving the environment.
In case anyone in the Connecticut Democrat Party cares, Connecticut has $60 to $80 billion dollars of unfunded liabilities along with its short and long term debt. It offers corporate welfare taxpayer funded checks to some of the largest corporations in the country.  This past week's $80 million dollar bond giveaway includes a mere $9 million dollars in the form of a grant to PriceWaterhouseCooper to create 400 jobs.  PriceWaterhouseCooper revenue for 2017 was a mere $37.7 billion dollars.  It was just given $9 million Connecticut Taxpayer dollars to increase their world wide work force from approximately 236,000 workers to now 236,400 workers from this grant that apparently they were in desperate need for in order to operate in Connecticut?  Will they be giving discounts to the Connecticut businesses they will be servicing?  Couldn't the $9,000,000 helped some of our elderly and special needs citizens of our state more than PriceWaterhouseCooper?  How much did PriceWaterhouseCooper give to the Connecticut Democrat Party over the past eight years?  According to OpenSecrets.org Senator Murphy received a mere $10,000 this 2018 cycle along with $5,000 to Representative Esty.  That is just a start.  If one looks back for the past four elections there was much more donated.  Yes if you give you will receive Connecticut Taxpayers monies when you donate to the Connecticut Democrat Party. 
The story on the Connecticut Democrat Party is the same year in and year out.  This election is more of the same.  Connecticut Taxpayers by being charged over $5 billion dollars in new and increased taxes over the past eight years are supposed to believe that they are better off with the continued one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party?  Really?  Isn't Connecticut last or near last in most major economic, taxing and business development categories in the country?  Hasn't Connecticut seen a mass migration of both businesses and taxpayers moving out of state over the past eight years?  Both of the Connecticut Democrat Party candidates for Governor are economically incompetent to serve. 
Connecticut is for sale.  Would you like to buy it?  But first can you spare me $9,000,000 instead?  What you don't want to pay to play?  Get out of Connecticut then.  Fast.

Connecticut's Governor Candidates

Who wants to be Governor? There were many now there are less than many.  But still a lot.  On the Republican side Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, moderate/liberal candidate won the nomination for Governor at the convention.  Getting enough delegate support to force a primary were former Trumbull Selectman Tim Herbst and Steve Obsitnik, a Westport tech entrepreneur.  Thus a primary will occur with candidates who did not get enough support at the convention petitioning to get on the primary ballot.  These include Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, Businessman David Stemerman, Dave Walker and Businessman Bob Stenfanowski.  More candidates may emerge for the primary.  Who is the clear cut leader?  I do not know as each candidate has interesting points in their campaigns.  The primary will dictate the winner.
On the Democrat side liberal businessman Ned Lamont is the default candidate for Governor.  Lamont is the candidate they must have as their other candidate who is Mayor of Bridgeport Joe Gamin spent seven years in prison as a convicted felon and in my opinion has little if any ability to be elected on the state level.  The Democrats have the real problem in their candidates for state office and in the House and Senate.  They all are running on the past eight failed years of the Malloy Administration.  Connecticut's economy is a mess.  They were in control. We are last in most business and economic categories.  New and increased taxes along with the massive costs of $60 to $80 billion dollars of short/long term debt along with unfunded liabilities and massive union and management salaries, benefits and pensions have pretty much crippled Connecticut.  The past eight years of Democrat rule have helped to increase the debt. There are also the economic issues of the state that include businesses moving out and a net loss of population. 
This is the record that Ned Lamont will be running on.  This is the record that the Democrats are running on.
Who want to be Governor?   I know whoever becomes Governor has their work cut out for them.  Good luck.

Connecticut Taxpayers-Are You Better Off In 2018 Than You Were In 2014? 2010? 1990?

If you are a Connecticut Taxpayer are better off in 2018 than you were in 2014? 2010?  How about 1990?
Think about it.  Are you paying more or less taxes?  Have you had to change jobs since your former employer either closed or moved out of state?  Has your local property taxes increased in that time frame?  Have you wondered why the Connecticut state budget has grown to $21 billion dollars a year from $7 billion dollars a year in 1990 while population has dropped by 10%, an approximate 67% increase in spending?  Have you wondered why Connecticut's short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities is now $60 to $80 billion dollars or four times the annual budget of the state?  Have you wondered why a state judge can retire at 70% of their pay for the rest of their lives after only three years of service?  In your current job are you guaranteed medical benefits for life when you retire?  Do you have a pension at your job?  If you do are you going to receive it by not contributing one penny to it in your work career?  Also if you have a pension are you able to include overtime worked and mileage reimbursement expenses to its calculation like Connecticut state workers can in some cases?  If you are a legal citizen of Connecticut are your children able to get financial aid attending a state community college or university like "Dreamer" students can?  If you own a business in Connecticut has the amount of regulations on your business increased since 2014 or 2010?  If you own a home in Connecticut and do not have a crumbling foundation do you want to pay a new $12 tax on your homeowners policy to supposedly correct this issue that you had no role in?  Do you like paying one of the highest levels of taxes in the country while the state ranks near last in economic growth and business friendliness?
Again if you are a Connecticut Taxpayer are better off in 2018 than you were in 2014? 2010?  How about 1990?
I know I am not and many of my family, friends and business owners are not.
This is the record that the Connecticut Democrat Party is running on in November.  They have lied for years now to Connecticut Taxpayers.  And Connecticut is in an economic mess.  They have no solutions other than tax and spend to protect their elite ruling political class.  The Connecticut Democrat Party owns the economy.  And they have no solutions whatsoever.
Remember this when you vote in November.