Knox County Republicans to meet Feb. 12 2013 at 7 pm

Rockland — The Knox County Republicans announce that Bruce Poliquin will be the evening’s speaker. Newly-elected Chairman Bob Carter will also be presenting exciting new plans for the coming year.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. A social hour will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Trade Winds on the top floor in downtown Rockland.

All Knox County Republicans are welcome and urged to attend.

You disagree with the Budget... What would you do?

The budget touches all of us in the state. Is it fair that we ask those that work hard to pay more for services they may not be able to take advantage of? Is it fair to ask those that truly need help to say that we have to take away from them? In both cases the answer is no and yes at the same time. Maine is at a crossroads where the state cannot afford the entitlements and expenses that were funded in the past. At the same time it is unfair to ask those that are struggling to balance their family budgets for more and dig deeper. What is right? As a tax payer I fully expect to do my share to help make sure the state remains solvent. I am not thrilled with the idea of having even more of my paycheck taken away, but I know for the long term it is the right thing to do. I will sacrifice for the greater good. As I am making changes to my life so that others can be helped – I would also expect that those that are being helped by my labor will also reduce their dependence on the state. The burden should be carried by everyone.

There are many in state government that realize Maine has to do something. Governor LePage has submitted a budget and while it is not perfect he is trying to live within Maine's means. There are some hard choices that had to be made – right or wrong – but at least he is willing to put them out there. His opposition – and they are loud and vocal – have come down hard on LePage for what he is proposing. They are doing so without offering palatable solutions to the budgetary problems we are all facing. They are bringing nothing to the table and as a result they are playing it safe. Unwilling to suggest what will be hard to swallow for them it is easier to let others suggest ideas that will be controversial. Those that are taking the risk of working with the Governor should be commended for doing so. They are looking to the future of Maine and the long term goals we should have. RepubliCAN of Maine challenges those to come up with something – or shut up – because your hot air is doing nothing productive.

Is this whats coming to America?

There is growing anger being displayed in Europe over austerity measures. People are upset with spending cuts by various governments and the threat of increased taxes.

There are budget crisis and governments no longer have the resources needed to cover the expenses associated with years of very generous entitlements. The protests that we are witnessing are coming about because many that will be impacted claim their livelihoods will be compromised by these changes. Unions are showing solidarity with the protesters - often encouraging them. They claim the protests are necessary to show the scale of opposition to these austerity measures. Governments are feeling the squeeze between what they know has to happen and what the protesters are demanding. There is not a lot of room to maneuver.

Is this what we can expect to happen here in America? Today we find ourselves on the edge of a cliff - teetering one way or another. Come January America will either fall over the cliff or get pulled back. In either case we as a country will find ourselves having to make some very unpleasant decisions. We run the very real risk of taking the path that Europe is going down. We cannot, though, continue upon the path that we find ourselves on. Raising taxes and cutting back so that we can live within our means is the only way to get us out of the hole we are slipping into.

There are going to be some very tough decisions that our leaders will be making. Decisions that will affect the entitlements that many in this country have become dependent upon. Pensions that can not be funded in the manner that they once were. There seems to be three options available to us:

1. Raise taxes on those that are still paying taxes. Do this across the board. There should not be any segment that gets a free ride. Raising taxes will in theory keep the entitlements that are out there and would cause the least harm to those receiving them.

2. Raise taxes and reduce entitlements. Do this across the board. As above no segment of society should get a free ride. Everyone will feel the pain.

3. Raise taxes, reduce entitlements and encourage job growth. The idea of getting more people on a payroll and paying taxes means in theory that taxes would not have to be raised as much and entitlements would not have to be reduced as much.

There are many ideas that could work - what is not working are the current ideas because it is only delaying what is inevitable - what we are seeing in Europe. If that is what this country wants then I suspect we will be seeing it soon. America is not like this - I hope

There is an image problem for the GOP – Grand Old Party – and that in itself is part of the problem.

Republicans took a hammering this past election across the board. We want your opinion on what worked – on the national, state and local levels. We also want to know what didn't work. Then finally what should change for Republicans – to appeal to more people. To convince those that are on the edge to look to conservative ideas and ideals.

The hammering that the party took ends with this election. We need to learn from what happened with this election so that it does not happen again. Republicans need to market themselves better. We want your thoughts.

Please comment here or email us at RepubliCANofME@gmail.com

There is a little over 1400 days until the next election.

Socialism the Rich will be Poorer -- but the Poor will also be Poorer

1944 in the basement of a hospital in Budapest Hungary Thomas Peterffy was born during a Russian air raid. Twenty one years later (in 1965) Thomas emigrated to the United States to escape communism and fulfill the American dream. With hard work, dedication and determination Thomas started a business that today employs thousands of people. He bought a seat on the American Stock Exchange in the 70's and was key in developing electronic trading of securities.

Peterffy is quoted as saying “I think the way a CEO runs his company is a reflection of his background. Business us a collection of processes, and my job is to automate those processes so that they can be done with the greatest amount of efficiency”

Petterffy is also quoted “America's wealth comes from the efforts of people striving for success. Take away their incentive with badmouthing success and you take away the wealth that helps us take care of the needy. Yes, in socialism the rich will be poorer -- but the poor will also be poorer. People will lose interest in really working hard and creating jobs."

Petterffy exemplifies what America is about and what American needs to stimulate a resurgence. View his ad on YouTube here: Thomas Peterffy - Freedom To Succeed. It is a powerful statement.

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What do we know about District 49 Candidate Jeff Evangelos?

We know that Jeff likes a quote from Mark Twain “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything”. We know that Jeff likes the character Atticus Finch from the movie “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and that his favorite leaders are Dwight Eisenhower and John F Kennedy. Beyond that we really do not know all that much about this candidate running for District 49. Is this what makes a good candidate? I think voters would much rather know that a candidate will do something for them. Like education reforms, limiting government intervention and helping to promote new job growth to name a few of the concerns that voters are dealing with. There is no disputing that Jeff Evangelos has an impressive resume of accomplishments and had a business. As one supporter noted Jeff is a “wicked smart guy”. There is a concern as to what he stands for and if he has a clear understanding of what the current issues that are important. Is Jeff the candidate you should vote for? Well if you are a voter concerned with quotes, movie characters and nifty Red Sox or Patriots schedules - sure. Otherwise look to a candidate who actually stands for something.