Is the Republican Party Right Enough?

Or is it too Right?

There are some that are suggesting that Republican's in general and more specifically in Maine should be more conservative. That Republicans have lost the values that are at the core foundation of the party. In addition Republican's are at a crossroads in selecting a new leader for the party. Charlie Webster in stepping down has opened up possibilities.

There is a very real need for Republican’s to embrace the future and the influence of social media on the voter. If the Republican party is to survive and grow - young voters will need to be groomed and courted. The use of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Tumbler and Linkedin to name a few as a means to get the candidates message out. Updating the websites maintained by various county committees so that they have a slick and professional look. The information on these sites all need to be current. There is no greater turn off than to have outdated information. If the most recent information you have is from a year ago then you have lost the battle. Media needs to be kept current and fresh. Emails that target constituents in a personal way as opposed to generic mass mailings. 

The Democrats manage to pull all of these points and more off. They have appealed to the old and young at heart. They get information out for support and do so weeks ahead of time. Not last minute. The Democrats market themselves as they party that cares and wants to help the individual, community, state or nation. Republicans have always been the party of change but recently the party has lost a bit of its groove.

If the party becomes more conservative as some would suggest there is the very real chance that moderate Republican's will defect. The goal should not be to narrow the focus of appeal but to broaden that appeal. To capture those that were lost in this past election cycle.

The Republican party is and always has been the party of aspiration. The Republicans are for the middle class and the upwardly mobile. It is the party of both blue and white collar workers, of race and creed. Conservative ideals and principles are good for every single voter.  We encourage you to comment on what the party should do. Comment here or email us at RepubliCANofMe@gmail.com.

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.

Chris Rector State Senate - on voter misinformation

Dear Voter,

It is personally distressing to me that there has been more misinformation, half-truth and outright lying in this election campaign about my voting record and positions on issues than I could ever have imagined possible. I am disheartened to think this is the new direction of politics in Maine.

The ability to discuss issues in a frank and candid manner is very important, and I certainly don’t mind honest disagreement about policy. I do, however, object to misinformation being spread as truth by those who do not even make an effort to verify its veracity. I hope you’ll agree that this behavior represents the worst form of subversion of our election process. Voters deserve to be armed with the facts, not the rumors or lies that someone presents as facts. We all know better than this!

To begin, the statement that I am a rubber stamp for the LePage administration is simply false. I have supported the Governor’s policies when I believed they were appropriate and I have objected to them when I have disagreed. For example, I fought hard to overcome the Governor’s veto of the R&D Bond proposal that would help to power Maine’s economy into the future. And I objected to the advance of “right to work” legislation as a distraction from a focus on serious issues affecting the Maine Economy such as spending priorities, debt, taxation and regulations.

Early in this Administration with seven of my Senate Republican colleagues, I signed a letter to the Governor, and met with him, objecting to the tone and the style with which he presented his message. It was offensive to many and unproductive for Maine.

I am proud of my record of protecting Maine’s Environment, as evidenced by my endorsement by Maine Conservation Voters.

I am also proud of my support of the business community, and the recognition of that effort, I have received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. This stands as proof that Maine can certainly have a healthy environment and a strong economy.

I am proud of my support of education, including an increase in the current biennial budget of $62M to support K-12 public education that also helps to reduce property tax burdens back home.

And I am particularly proud of my record of reaching across the aisle to colleagues, evidenced by my endorsement by One Maine. Contrary to common belief, virtually all of the major initiatives in the 125th Legislature were supported by both parties. Legislative reforms of taxes, pensions, government regulations, small business and insurance reforms were all supported with bi-partisan votes in the Legislature. I am a leader of the effort to find common ground.

I have always taken my legislative responsibilities seriously. I have labored to represent the many diverse interests of my district and the best interests of the State of Maine. I am proud of my opportunity to be the Senator from Knox County and hope that I can return to that role in the126th legislature. Win or lose, I believe it is essential that voters have the truth about the many issues that have been circulated in a less than honest manner.

Please feel free to circulate this letter as you see fit to any who you think may not have all the facts, and please contact me directly if you have specific questions. I can be reached by e-mail at cwrector@hotmail.com, or by telephone at 354-6571. Everyone deserves to be informed when they vote.

Sincerely,Christopher Rector
State Senator District 22,
Knox County

Jon Courtney receives the endorsement of the Maine Sportsman's Alliance

Today in Augusta it was announced by Maine Sportsman's Alliance (SAM) their endorsement of Jon Courtney for the 1st Congressional District race. No other candidate has received SAMs endorsement for this coming election and this is the first time that Mike Michaud has not received SAMs endorsement. For more up to date information on Jon and what he is doing for you. Or to give him your support. Like him on Facebook or visit him at JonCourtney.com