Let the Debates happen

The Presidential debates are scheduled to happen on the following sates:

• Wednesday October 3rd
• Tuesday October 16th
• Monday October 22nd

The Vice Presidential debate is scheduled for:

• Thursday October 11th

Kevin Raye a weekend in the life of the candidate

This past weekend Kevin Raye was busy meeting the voters of the second district. In a Twitter post Kevin stated to his followers that is was a busy weekend. That is putting it mildly. Kevin was seen at the  Bangor Folk Festival which began August 24 and ran through Sunday August 26. Kevin had a chance to enjoy with others a sampling of blues, Franco, Irish to name some of what performers did.

As if that was not enough Kevin was also seen at the 36th Annual Madison-Anson Days Celebration held between August 23 – 26. Here he mingled with the voters listening to what they had to say and participating in some of the events.

Then finally Kevin Raye was seen at the Piscataquis Valley Fair “A Down Home Country Fair”. There was a lot to do and see.

To find out more about what Kevin Raye stands for please visit him at  Kevin Raye for Congress for more information and to find out how to support Kevin.

The future of Maine's families is for Independence – from Government.

The Republican party is in a race with the other party to change the way we think about assistance for families in need. Jon Courtney pointed out at the Rotary Club in Wells that he and other Republicans worked on tailoring a plan to help people get off of state assistance. Government assistance should be available to help as a safety net. It should not be a way of life.

Government should be there to offer assistance when a family is in need. It should tailor that assistance though so that the person or family has a goal of independence – not dependence on that assistance. We want to present you three scenarios of people or families receiving assistance or who have tried:

• A late 30's woman who has been receiving government assistance for over 15 years now. The dollar value of assistance currently is in excess of $36,000.  She is voting for the current President because she does not want to loose any assistance. This person has no disability but knows the system well enough to live a very comfortable life paid for by those that do work. 
• A late 20's man who is 'disabled' by anxiety and has been 'disabled' for more than 5 years. This gentleman lives his life filled with 'anxiety' that is so disabling that he can not work at any normal job of any kind. He refuses to seek any help that may assist him in overcome this disabling anxiety and help him become a productive member of society. This gentleman currently spends his days drinking vodka and playing video games. This life style is paid for by all of us still working. Is the state really helping this young man? This man by the way is voting for the current President because he does not want to lose his current entitlements. 

The example presented represents what is wrong with the current system. What is supposed to be a safety net has turned into a way of life and one that is quite comfortable. Why would anyone want to give up on a situation where everything is taken care of for you? At some point if enough people opt for a lifestyle where the government takes care of you there won't be enough people to cover the cost. In our final example we see someone who probably should have help of some sort but cannot because she earns too much.

• A young woman who is 18 recently applied for assistance. She is a single Mom with a 15 month old child. She works full time at a fast food restaurant earning $7.50 and hour and working no more than 39 hours.  Her earnings come to $1170 a month which is considered too much to receive much of any kind of assistance other than food stamps (currently $122.00 per month). When this woman went to DHHS for help for child care and rental assistance she was told that she made too much money at $14,000 a year. She was told by DHHS that if she quit her job she would be entitled to more benefits. The benefits would exceed her yearly income and provide her with a home, child care and TANIF. This woman has declined the advice of DHHS and continues working.

Here we are presented again with what is wrong with a system that is supposed to help to offer a safety net to those that are in need. In the examples presented we see a system that is broken. A system that creates and encourages dependence instead of independence. Show your support for the Republican candidate in your district. Success should be how many people are not on public assistance not by how many are on assistance.

Marion S. Collins - August 25, 2012

Our sympathies go out to Michael Collins and his wife as well as other members of the Collins family over the death of family member Marion S. Collins.

A celebration of Marion's life will be held starting at 1 pm at the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church on August 28. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church; PO Box 62; Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04425

For more information: Village Soup

For Chris Rector it is not all about serving ice cream

As the summer season winds down Chris Rector (District 22) can often be found working at his ice cream business – The Camden Cone – which by the way has super ice cream and service. He does not stop there. Starting next week (August 26) Chris will be working for you in Augusta as an active participant in the State Human Resource Directors Convention where he will be giving a speech on Worker's Comp reforms that were put into place this year. Chris will be back in Augusta starting September 4th through the 6th where he will be chairing his committee in public hearings. He will also be in session on September 6th in the Maine Senate. Finally on Friday September 7th Chris will be serving as part of a panel in a daylong workshop dealing with expanding science literacy in Maine. This workshop will be in Portland at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

As the District 22 candidate let Chris know your thoughts about what the issues are. Although his schedule may appear full he will take the time to listen to what you have to say. Show your support for Chris Rector by putting a sign on your lawn or letting him know you endorse him. Chris can be contacted by phone (207-354-6571) or email (cwrector@hotmail.com). For a lawn sign contact Chris or the Knox County Republican Party (207-594-5118).

Give a man a fish and he is fed for a day. Teach a man to fish and he feeds himself for a lifetime.

In this current economic crisis neither Democrats nor Republicans can lay claim to being more sensitive to helping those families that have been impacted by the economics we all are dealing with. 
 
There is a difference though in the fundamental philosophy that each party has in giving out help. As Jon Cortney pointed out in Wells at the Rotary Club last week there is a need to help families find away off of assistance. To give the tools needed to create solutions in the future. The Republican party in Maine has been trying to break the gridlock the other party has had in government for years. Change is needed to bring in fresh ideas. This is true not only on the state level but with the Federal government.

Helping others is fine. It becomes a problem though when generations are raised to believe that this is the way life should be. People feel that they are entitled to the entitlements they are receiving not realizing where the money is coming from. The money is coming from you and I. The Republican party is trying to change this mind set. Making change to help Maine's families go from dependence to independence. It is time for change in Augusta and Washington. It is time for the party of independence – it is time for the Republicans.

What is the Democrat record on Job Creation?

No President can take credit for the actual creation of jobs, they can influence how jobs are created and or if they are created. During the current administration we have seen little or no job creation as compared to the past 11 Presidents. John F Kennedy and George HW Bush come close to the lack of job creation that Obama has had. Both of these Presidents had during their term a job gain of 2.45 million. Gerald Ford was next with 2.9 million. At the top of the heap we find Ronald Regan with 16.9 million, President Bill Clinton was close to this figure. In between we find Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman to name a few. At the bottom of the heap we find Barack Obama with 0.1 million jobs created. This is a sad statistic.

For Obama to have a positive influence on job creation he needs to show 260,000 jobs created between now and December for every month. Can this happen? Anything is possible. In Maine the Republican party has been fighting against the entrenched Democrat party. In the last year thousands of jobs have been created by Republicans and the current administration. Republicans in Maine have been fostering the independence of Maine's families and supporting the idea of living within ones means. In November come out and support those Republican candidates that support that value Maine's families.

Maine RepubliCANs for Job creation and Family Independence

Billions were thrown to foster job growth during his term and yet unemployment has remained above 8% for 41 months. Obama has not been able to break this 8% barrier. This despite running on job creation back in 2007/08. The Democrats have a track record these past several years that is loud and clear. In Maine Paul LePage has been working to change the business environment so that it is more business friendly. From January 2011 to March of this year over 3000 jobs have been created. Much has been done by LePage to promote a skilled workforce.

Paul LePage is working for the people as are the Republican candidates in Maine. The common thread that they all share – Jon Courtney, Kevin Raye and Tim Turner (to name a few) is that they are concerned about making Maine a better environment for businesses and employment. Maine needs a party that will will bring jobs to the state. A party that is looking out for Maine's families. A party that promotes independence rather than dependance. Support your Republican candidates

Jon Courtney covers the first district this past weekend

Jon was spotted at the Union Fair with his wife and Senator Savage during the flag raising ceremony at the Chamber of Commerce. He also had a chance to meet with Bob Carter who is running for a seat in the house this upcoming election.

In the afternoon on Saturday it was a quick drive over to Winthrop and another meeting with Rep Pat Flood who is seeking his fourth term.

The busy day ended with a fund raiser at the Morrison's home in New Gloucester for Rep Ellie Espling which was a huge success.

For more on Jon and his campaign please visit him at his website. Joncourtney.com

On the campaign trail with Kevin Raye in District 2

Kevin Raye is on the campaign trail and has been spotted at the SkowheganFair August 9 – 18 pressing the flesh and letting people know he is there for them. Later on Kevin was seen at the Phillips Old Home Days Parade (Phillips Old Home Days from August 11 – 19). For more information on Kevin Raye visit his web site and show your support.

Maine Hancock County Republican Committee upcoming events

Set aside Saturday August 25 between 8 am and 3 pm at the headquarters located 412 High Street, Ellesworth, Maine for a giant yard sale to benefit the HCRC.

Yard sale items can be dropped off between 4 pm – 8 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. To schedule a drop off please call Karen Arkin at 479-3125.

The Blue Hill Fair – The Hancock county Republican Committee will be raffling off a Remington 870 pump action shotgun. This provided by Wiley's Sports Center of Ellsworth Maine. Come and enjoy the fair and purchase some tickets.

The September 7th event at the Bucksport Golf Club has been canceled.

Volunteers are needed to help in the office of the HCRC headquarters (located next to Pat's Pizza in Ellsworth) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm – 8 pm. There is also a need on Saturdays from noon to 5 pm through the November election. If you can help the cause please contact Jinny Commiciotto at 326-8340 (home) or 217-0450 (cell) or email at: tcomiciotto@aol.com for a schedule.

Show your support for the values that the Republican party stands for. This is a critical election and your involvement is appreciated and needed. 

 

Stop by and visit the GOP at the Union Fair August 18 - 25th

The Republican party is going to have a booth at the Union Fair and invite you to come on by and say hello. Show your support by picking up a t-shirt or baseball cap and let everyone know what good things the Republican party has done for Maine.

Make sure you set aside this Saturday August 18^th at 2 pm to see the parade around the racetrack. The GOP will be part of this event and it is a good way to see who they are.

If you want to volunteer for manning the booth contact the Knox County Republicans. They have a sign up sheet and are looking for help. In addition if you want to be a part of the parade they can help you be a part of the excitement (contact - Jan Dolcater at jandolcater@yahoo.com or call at 236-8625).

Jon Cortney from Cape Elizabeth to Warren

Today was a busy day for Jon Cortney traveling from Cape Elizabeth to South Portland and finally ending in Warren tonight.

In a whirlwind of activity Jon visited with Phil the owner of Broadway Gardens, he was seen at Mill Creek Plaza in South Portland and paid a visit at the Cape Elizabeth Central Fire Station. He ended the day in a meeting in Warren where over 120 people came out to listen and meet Jon.

Jon is out to listen to what is concerning you in the 1st District. Where has Chellie been? That is the difference we have seen with Jon. He listens and is concerned for those that he will represent in Washington after this election is over. Support Jon in his efforts. Jon is going to be the voice of the people in Washington. Visit him at Jon Courtney. Like him on facebook

Maine Political News August 15, 2012

We went to a meeting last night at the Knox County Republican Headquarters on Park Street in Rockland Maine. The parking lot was full and when we went inside we were greeted by Paula Sutton, an energetic lady who helps things run smoothly at meetings for Knox County Republicans and does much more. She introduced herself and had us sign in, showed us where the refreshments were, took an interest in what we said and how we could help the cause.

The meeting was chaired by Jan Dolcater, a likable man with real determination. Jan was proud to share the fact that the Knox County Republicans helped raise $40,000 for heating assistance for families in need in Knox County and he should be proud, that's quite a feat!

The crowd was fired up, we shared ideas and gathered email addresses to rally the troops for the just over 3 months until the November 6th election.

Here are the Knox County Republican Candidates and their contact information:

Charlie Summers for United States Senate. He is a Proven Leader for Maine and America.http://www.summersformaine.com

Chris Rector for State Senate District 22 who is looking for re-election to continue his good work in overcoming the challenges still facing Maine today. cwrector@hotmail.com

Les Fossel for State Senate who offers Solutions for a prosperous Maine. fossel@oldhouserestoration.com

Jon Courtney for Congress a small business owner who understands the challenges job creators face and is the Change Washington Needs. www.joncourtney.com

Mike Collins for State Representative District 48 who wants to bring a different viewpoint to Augusta that represents the views of the working men and women who live in District 48. mccollins4b@roadrunner.com

Deb Sanderson for State Representative District 52 is seeking re-election to the Maine House of Representatives. She believes that Augusta works for the people of Maine - not the other way around. deb.sanderson@hotmail.com

Bob Carter for State Legislature wants to listen to your sound advice and new ideas. Join Bob in a Campaign for Maine's Future. rcjcsccc@aol.com

Carole Gartley for State Representative serving Camden Rockport. Carole is part of this community. A small business owner immersed in the community, Carole needs your vote. Visit Carole on Facebook.

For more information call the Knox County Republican Committee at (207) 594-5118
No matter who you choose to vote for, please vote on November 6th!

By Catherine Cooper