Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Party

CHAIRMAN GIOVANNI CICIONE SAYS RI DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN BILL LYNCH AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TIM GRILO PORTRAY ALL RHODE ISLANDERS WHO OPPOSE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS RACISTS, DEMANDS APOLOGY, CALLS FOR RATIONAL DEBATE AND CIVIL DISCOURSE.

WARWICK, RI - Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione is praising Governor Carcieri’s Executive Order on Illegal Immigration and says critics of the plan, including the leadership of the state Democratic Party are the ones lighting the flames of hatred within the immigrant community.

“The Governor has not only the right, but the responsibility to get control of problems with illegal immigrants that are causing chaos for law enforcement and other elements of state government and the community at large,” says Chairman Giovanni Cicione.

“Apparently State Democratic Chair Bill Lynch and his Executive Director believe all Rhode Islanders, including the Governor and police officers who oppose illegal immigration, are racists. Well they are not; this Governor respects the difficult job the State Police and Corrections officials have to do. Apparently, Bill Lynch and his Democratic Party do not respect the State Police, Corrections officials and other law enforcement agencies simply trying to enforce the law in regard to illegal immigrants.”

“Immigrants who want to come here legally are welcome and should share in the same civil rights and civic responsibilities as all citizens of our state. As the Governor has said many times legal immigrants play a vital role in our economy and our culture and stand to benefit from clearer distinctions in the law between themselves and those here illegally,” Cicione continues. “Illegal immigrants who burden our police departments, schools and hospitals with unfunded costs are hurting legal immigrants as much as any other Rhode Islander.” Read the rest of this entry »

Pat, this post is not intended to be personal. Honest.

Pat Crowley, full-time Court Jester at the Progressive Palace, (apparently part-time) official for National Education Association-RI — and occasional fashion model for the duck costume industry — has taken quill to paper and scribed a piece in the March 25th edition of the Providence Business News (“Wages, Not Taxes, Are Our Problem”). His piece is intended to support the Orwellian titled “Economic Growth and Fairness Act.” It probably eluded Mr. Crowley, but there is a real double entendre in the title of his piece: for to the NEA, taxes are never “our” problem, only “our” wages!

If we keep in mind the old adage regarding “follow the money,” we will see through his “fowl” diatribe and recognize that its superficial argument regarding tax “fairness” is really a chimera intended to cover a huge tax increase intended to keep unimpeded the taxpayer money flowing to the unions and welfare industry, via a further the imposition of a European-style “Democratic Socialist” regimen in Rhode Island.

More intriguingly, Crowley has “spilled the beans” on the true political philosophy and fiscal agenda of his gaggle of “progressives” –- the latest label for Communists / Fascists / Socialists / Liberals –- merely the latest installment of serial political re-branding of a serially discredited political theory. In the case of Ducky Crowley and his sartorial tastes, the re-branding has gone to extremes, but it may help explain his apparent compulsion to “flip the bird”!

Let us analyze excerpts from Ducky Crowley’s PBN propaganda piece, after which we’ll add some of our own commentary and some pertinent quotes from notable figures past and present. Most of them are names you will recognize — individuals who presumably last wore paraphernalia such as duck costumes when their ages were still in the single digits — and so whose intellectual gravitas routinely cruises at far higher altitudes than any Ducky can achieve on even his best day.

Quack No. 1: “What is the point of income taxes? Are they a mechanism to pay for services from the state? No. … The point of the income tax is not about paying for services but about redistribution of wealth from the top to the bottom, pure and simple.”

Oops! You weren’t supposed to be quite so “forthright,” Ducky! The whole point of calling yourselves “progressives” (and before that, “liberals”) is to mask your Marxist agenda from the voting public. That is why “the means to the end” is masked under propagandistic euphemisms such as “fair share,” “social justice,” and “economic justice.” Publishing statements that could come straight from the lips of Marx and Engels blows your cover. We suspect that the more strategically-oriented among your fellow “progressives” can’t be pleased.

“The more one considers the matter, the clearer it becomes that redistribution is in effect far less a redistribution of free income from the richer to the poorer, as we imagined, than a redistribution of power from the individual to the State.” – Bertrand de Jouvenel

“The goal of socialism is communism.” - Vladimir Lenin

“Socialism is simply Communism for people without the testosterone to man the barricades.” - Gary North

Quack No. 2: “Progressives cannot be afraid to defend this very American understanding of taxes. The right wing and the business lobby will accuse us of class warfare. Let them, because to follow that logic the very existence of democracy is class warfare.”

Gee, having read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States several times we have failed to find the provisions relating to “class warfare” and “redistribution of income.” We have noted such provisions in tomes such as The Communist Manifesto. Apparently Ducky believes that prefacing his comments with phrases such as “this very American understanding” will somehow impart an aura of legitimacy — even patriotism — to his overtly Marxist rhetoric. We don’t see this as particularly clever; more as base propaganda. Read the rest of this entry »

Call In Monday: (401) 438-9776

*************

The Governor will be on the John DePetro and Buddy Cianci shows on Monday and I am asking you to call in to support him on his newly issued Executive Order on Illegal Immigration. We have to be aggressive on this one and push back forcefully to reiterate what was said by the Governor and comment on how important it is to have an objective debate on the issue. People must be warned not believe the mischaracterizations that are being fraudulently and recklessly voiced by the Governor’s political enemies. They will be the ones on Monday who will fuel the fires, play the race card and raise the rhetoric.

The Executive Order will be posted on the Governor’s website early Monday morning for reference. The Governor went out of his way to praise the accomplishments of legal immigrants and to celebrate diversity. The EO requires the state to check the legal status of prisoners at the ACI; to work with ICE to train the State Police on how to handle situations involving illegal immigrants; requires the Department of Administration to make contractors certify that their employees are legal citizens; requires all departments in the Executive Branch to use the Federal e-Verify system to make sure that all state employees are legal citizens. All of these requirements are lawful and long overdue.

The influx of illegal immigrants has contributed to the strain on our healthcare system; our schools; and our infrastructure. This problem also has contributed to our serious budget deficit. While it is not clear exactly how much this has contributed to the budget problem, this action will help us make a measured determination.

The Governor clearly did not use inflammatory language during the press conference. He said the US is a nation of laws and that the Federal Government was not doing anything about the illegal immigrant problem and that he as Governor was compelled to do something about it. He was sensitive, compassionate but firm. He was elected by a clear majority of the legal citizens of RI and he is taking action to protect our interests.

Thanks for your support.

John Robitaille

The Ocean State Republican will be in maintenance mode on Sunday, in an attempt to upgrade to the latest version of WordPress (2.5!). We will be taking steps to back up the MySQL databases, the plenteous plug-ins, and the archives, since based on prior experience, this isn’t completely without risk.

JavaScript dependent functions, as well as the various plug-ins will be disabled while the upgrade is in progress, so the site might not be entirely functional for some time. Depending on how complicated this ends up being, expect the site to be down anywhere from a few hours to a few aeons.

UPDATE: There were several unanticipated incompatibility problems that will need to be dealt with. Why do they call them fatal errors? It’s a rather negative term. No good deed goes unpunished. We’ll see you on Monday (we told you so!).

A message from Jim Haldeman for State Representative:

With an e-mail list consisting of thousands of supporters from throughout the state and a solid group of more than 20 engaged and active volunteers from within my District, I am more prepared than ever to take the State House District 35 seat. As the first quarter winds down, my campaign is already cranked up.

I’m contacting you today both to thank and to ask those of you who have financially supported me in the past to dig a little deeper, and to ask those of you who have not yet made a donation to consider contributing for the first time.

The end of the quarter, March 31, represents a key milestone in terms of our campaign finance filings. The report we file will clearly communicate the potency of my run for State Representative. In many ways, this filing will impact the entire state.

The voting record of my opponent, as is often the case in Rhode Island, is more fundamentally aligned with House Leadership than with taxpayers. Although many of the people receiving this e-mail are not in my district, a victory in this campaign will bring our caucus closer to a majority, therefore amplifying the voice of your own Representative.

In the final few days of the quarter, I ask again for your help. Your contribution will help sway the balance of ideas in a state dominated by only one party. Have a great weekend.

Over at the lefty RI Future blog, Pat “The Duck” Crowley writes a letter of sorts to State Police Maj. Steven G. O’Donnell, regarding how he plans to “not comply” with the State Police [which he apparently new considers a local arm of the Gestapo] regarding things he will never be required or asked to do under the governor’s very common sense directive. Of course, jumping to hyperbolic conclusions which are not directly supported by “facts” is his raison d’etre. We’ll address a few of his concerns here [in brackets]:

There is no way for you to know what my immigration status is simply by looking at me [That's what the new "Forehead Barcode Tattoo Application Program" is for]… if you pull me over while I am driving; please ask me if I can prove my legal status in this country [I'm sure they could do that if you'd like, but they weren't planning to do that]. But please know: I will not comply.

If I am driving with one of my friends whose skin complexion is a darker shade than mine, and I am pulled over [Remember to wear your seatbelt, don't speed or looking "suspicious" or they're gonna come and git ya!], and your officers ask about the status of anyone in my vehicle, I will not comply [Of course, that would be virtually everyone in America, since you're very pasty].

If I am walking down the street with friends or co-workers, and they are speaking a language different than English, and an officer asks me or them to verify our status, I will not comply [If they are speaking a language other than English while you're with them, how do you know they aren't talking about you behind your back?].

If people are at my house, and officers for whatever reason appear at my door asking to verify the legal status of anyone inside or on the property, even if you have a warrant [Now, how would they get a warrant, unless they had probable cause that you're personally harboring illegal aliens? Are the courts in on "it," too?], I will not comply [We're sure that the police have better things to do than to break up your wild house parties].

I know that you believe that you will not be engaged in racial profiling, and I take you at your word [Good, so your post was completely unwarranted]. But you know and I know that people who look like me will not be subject to this order [Don't presume that]. People who speak that language I speak will not be targeted [Is "Commie Lib" considered a language?]. Since my skin color and my language protect me from this order [That's quite a presumption ... let's see about that], I am openly ask you to NOT consider me in a protected class [We always kind of assumed that public union employees considered themselves a "protected class" -- thanks for clearing that up.]. But like I said above, if as a result of renouncing my protected status I am subject to questioning about my legal status in this country, please know: I will not comply. [Why do you assume you are protected? Sounds like prejudice.].

Subtitle: The American president Americans have been waiting for.

We’ll see about that. I assume the use of “American” twice in the same sentence is intended redundancy, in order to further emphasize his pro-American values for Americans in America.

McCain appears to be trying to define himself to the general electorate, before either of his potential adversaries have the ability to do it for him. Sen. John McCain … continuing to look “presidential,” while his potential Democrat adversaries continue to fight it out like little school children.

LEADERSHIP!

From the Office of the Governor:

Orders State Police and Prison to Work with Federal Immigration Officials State Contractors Ordered to Verify Employees’ Immigration Status

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today signed an Executive Order designed to bolster the state’s efforts to respond to the problem of illegal immigration in Rhode Island.

In brief, the measure requires state agencies and vendors to verify the legal status of all employees, allows the state to inform people whose identity was stolen, and directs the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Corrections to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure federal immigration law is enforced.

In remarks to reporters, Governor Carcieri emphasized his support and respect for the important role that legal immigrants play in Rhode Island and in America.

“We all know that we are a nation of immigrants and most Rhode Islanders are descendants of immigrants,” Governor Carcieri said. “My grandparents emigrated from Italy and Sweden. I fully understand the desire to come to the United States to build a better life. For generations, people have arrived on our shores from all corners of the world to realize the American Dream. But they followed the letter of the law and did so legally. We have, and always will, welcome legal immigrants to Rhode Island.”

The Governor also noted that the federal government’s failure to address the national illegal immigration problem has left individual state and local governments to bear the burden.

“Unfortunately, the federal government has not effectively addressed the complex issue of illegal immigration,” the Governor said. “That means that Governors throughout the nation must deal with the consequences. In fact, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states have passed a record number of bills which focus on the issue of illegal immigration. Last year states enacted three times the number of illegal immigration bills than they did in 2006. And the issue is being debated in all 50 state capitols.”

“According to the Pew Hispanic Center we have approximately 40,000 illegal immigrants in Rhode Island,” Carcieri said. “That’s more than the population of 32 of our state’s cities and towns. This puts a tremendous strain upon our public schools, hospitals, state and local human services organizations and law enforcement agencies. That in, turn, has an impact upon state and local budgets. In these difficult fiscal times, we barely have enough resources to take care of the neediest amongst us who are here legally.”

“Today I am issuing an Executive Order which will enable a vast array of state government agencies to better address the issue of illegal immigration in Rhode Island,” Governor Carcieri said. “I want to make one thing very clear: I support increasing the quotas to have more legal immigrants in the United States. I also support granting more work permits. This is not about taking a hard line against immigrants. It’s about making sure that those who come here can realize their goals of economic security and a better quality of life.”

“Illegal immigrants face many hardships,” the Governor continued. “With no healthcare, no pension, and no social security they cannot fully participate in the American Dream. As long as the issue of illegal immigration remains unresolved on the national level, people will continue to suffer and taxpayers will bear the costs. The federal government has failed to act so we must take measures on the state level to bring some clarity to this complex issue.”

The Executive Order includes six provisions: Read the rest of this entry »

One of our goals at The OSR is to be as user friendly as possible. Unlike some other local political blogs (which shall remain nameless — and useless), registration is not required to leave comments about posts on this site. All you need to have is a name or nickname and a reasonably realistic looking e-mail address (something with a “@” and a “.” in it).

However, by taking a moment to register your e-mail address (which is not displayed publicly), you will be e-mailed a unique password from us (which you may later change). Although not at all required, registering with us will enable you to bypass several different active and passive anti-spam and spambot countermeasures (there are at least five) and to be able to instantaneously view the comment you just left.

Comments from “unregistered” users often will post immediately, although they currently may be moderated. However, comments from registered users will always bypass moderation and post instantaneously. Whether or not it actually is moderated or held in queue is a completely automated function. Basically, several programs using very complicated algorithmic thingamajigs check for suspect things (like the TSA) within the text of your comment, or cross-reference your IP address with known spammers, etc. Basically, it’s “profiling” you! If just one of those programs “thinks” you might be “bad,” it will embargo the comment in queue for later review by one of our human overseers.

If you are not a registered user (”logged in”) when writing your comment, you will be asked a very simple “Spam Stopper” question, such as “What color is the White House?” (Answer: White), in order to determine that you are indeed a human — and not a cylon or something. If you are not intelligent enough to answer the question, then you’re probably not intelligent enough to be leaving blog comments (or to read this right now). Even if you manage to get the question right, your comment may still be held in queue for moderation anyway, so please don’t take it personally…

Gee, Romney’s looking like a pretty good V.P. possibility for McCain:

Youthful
Energetic
Facial Color
Conservative
Articulate
Strong Economics Background
Has Lots of Money
Has Many Rich Friends
Youthful

(AP) - In a show of Republican unity, one-time bitter foes John McCain and Mitt Romney raised money and campaigned together Thursday for a single goal — getting McCain elected president.

“We are united. Now our job is to energize our party,” the Arizona senator said in an airport hangar, flanked by Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., an early McCain supporter. Both have been mentioned as potential vice presidential picks, and McCain praised each.

Romney lauded McCain and promised to do all he can to help, saying: “He is a man who is proven and tested” and without question the right man to be president…

On the flight, there seemed to be little residual acrimony between the former rivals.

They sat next to each other and ate turkey sandwiches. They laughed and talked during the hour-long flight, and were complimentary of each other when talking to reporters traveling with McCain.

A tanned and rested Romney said it was fun to be campaigning again and nice not to feel any pressure. “I don’t have to worry about goofing up,” he said. He brushed aside questions about a No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.

At one point, McCain answered a question by lamenting an accelerated GOP primary process that he said doesn’t allow voters to scrutinize the candidates as much.

“Mitt just went through the process,” McCain said and turned to the former governor.

“The process was very good to you …,” Romney responded. McCain, laughing, said the process was good to him, too.

McCain, who has struggled to raise money compared to Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, is on a week-long Western fundraising swing. Romney is popular in Utah and Colorado, states with large numbers of Mormons.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, dropped out of the race last month after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed the Arizona senator a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.

Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he’d accept a vice presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he’s looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012…

From the Office of the Governor:

2:00 P.M. Thursday March 27, 2008 State Room, State House

At a State House press conference [on Thursday], Governor Donald L. Carcieri will sign a new Executive Order designed to increase the state’s efforts to deal with the problem of illegal immigration in Rhode Island. The Governor will also endorse legislation that has been introduced in the General Assembly to accomplish the same goal.

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, approximately 20,000 to 40,000 illegal immigrants live in Rhode Island. Illegal immigrants are entitled by law to access a number of taxpayer funded services, including public education and uncompensated hospital care. In the face of growing numbers of illegal immigrants and the inaction of the Federal government, many states are doing what they can to address the issue.

It’s been said that if you want to cook a frog, you don’t throw it in a pot of boiling water because it will immediately jump out. No, you place it in water of a comfortable temperature and gradually turn up the heat so that it won’t realize that it is being boiled … until it is too late.

The population of Rhode Island has hovered at about 1,000,000 since the 1950s. Whether by accident or design, the Democrat General Assembly has been using this same incremental technique to massively increase the tax burden on Rhode Islanders. The tax “water” is now bubbling, and it’s become awfully uncomfortable for us Rhode Islanders.

“A picture is worth a thousand words” – and as will be seen as we read on, the chart that appears below illustrates the point.

The chart is derived from an Excel spreadsheet posted online by a professor at URI, and it shows the Rhode Island State budget from 1950 to 2005 (The original posting is at http://www.uri.edu/artsci/com/Logan/archive/benchmarks/benchmarks.html ).

The good professor used Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data to account for inflation. The eye-popping numbers are as follows:

1. 1950 State budget (inflation adjusted for 2005 dollars) was $308,596,107.

2. 2005 State budget (also 2005 dollars) equals $2,898,964,410.

3. The red line at the bottom of the chart shows what the State budget would look like today had simply kept pace with inflation.

What this data shows us is that in real terms the Democrat General Assembly has increased the State budget over NINE-FOLD since 1950! Recall that the overall population of the state hasn’t changed all that much over the same exact period.

Because the State budget must be balanced by law, the budget is the reciprocal of taxes, so in real terms the Democrat General Assembly has increased the tax burden over NINE-FOLD since 1950!

Recall too that in the 1950s we already had all of the essential government services — roads, bridges, schools, water, police and fire protection — so this nine-fold increase is not attributable to “essential government services.”

As for that red CPI line, note as well that the state budget pretty much trended alongside it until the mid-1960s. What changed? In 1966, the General Assembly enacted a statute which allowed public sector employees — state and municipal workers, as well as public school teachers — to unionize. During this same period, the so-called “Great Society” / “War on Poverty” programs had been initiated and were cranking up.

Thus were born both the welfare “industry” and “the unions” — the special interests which have not just grown, but have metastasized — which have come to totally dominate government in Rhode Island. Read the rest of this entry »

HEARING ALERT
Wednesday, March 26th
House Finance Committee, Room 35
H-7950 ‘Economic Growth & Fairness Act’
(aka “The bill to tax everything which isn’t currently being taxed”)

Plan to arrive at about 3:30 pm for a pre-hearing RALLY which is set to begin at 4:00pm in the Rhode Island State House Rotunda.

The House Finance Committee hearing is scheduled to start at 4:30pm in Room 35. Keep in mind that the bill has been put very close to the end of the hearing agenda (deliberately), so it’s very possible that it will not even be heard until well into the evening. If you wish to testify during the hearing process itself, you may encounter a significant wait. However, the taxpayers of Rhode Island would greatly appreciate your support!

From RISC: Similar to S-2668, H-7950 has less to do with fostering economic growth and more to do with income redistribution. To sponsors Senator Paul Moura and Representative Arthur Handy, that is called “Fairness”. The class warfare preamble to these bills relates the percentage of income the poor pay in income taxes and property taxes to the percentage of their income the middle-income Rhode Islanders pay and to what the wealthiest pay. There is no comparison of actual dollars paid. These two bills would add sales taxes on twenty-eight new categories from dry cleaning to porta-potties. They would increase the piggy-back income tax rate from 25% to 27.5%. Capital gains rates would triple. Numerous tax credits would be removed. The Rhode Islanders who pay these taxes need to be heard.

Please join us Wednesday in Room 35.

Dare I say that Sen. John McCain has been having a very good week — looking all “presidential” and such. Keep on ripping each other apart, Hillbama!

Nancy Reagan will offer her formal support to John McCain this evening at her home in Bel Air, per GOP sources.

McCain, a longtime friend of the Reagans, will join the widow of the 40th president for a 5:15 PM local time event meant to bestow the closest thing to The Gipper’s blessing.

“Although it has been my custom to wait until after the Republican National Convention to announce my support of a candidate, it is clear that the party has chosen its nominee,” Reagan is to say in a statement. “So it is with great pleasure that I endorse Sen. John McCain for president of the United States.

“John McCain has been a good friend for over 30 years. My husband and I first came to know him as a returning Vietnam War POW and were impressed by the courage he had shown through his terrible ordeal. I believe John’s record and experience have prepared him well to be our next president.”

After meeting privately in Reagan’s home, McCain will join the former first lady for a brief appearance outside for cameras.

Dear Projo Staff:

Thank you for continually keeping us Citizens up to date on the RI Political Scene.

Just a gentle reminder, Giovanni Cicione was the only one that ran for the RIGOP Chair position in March 2007. Governor Carcieri endorsed Giovanni Cicione as the Chair of the RIGOP and I believed the right thing was for everyone to support the Governor’s endorsement after his 2006 election victory.

Secondly, I want to clarify that I am committed to presenting and supporting strong candidates in 2008. Below is the source (http://www.1772society.org) of the comments that “The party itself should prepare to conduct a broad effort in 2010…..”

Locally, the SKGOP began campaigning for Jim Haldeman, who is running for State Representative (District 35), the day after the last election. Jim Haldeman’s web site is http://www.haldeman4rep.com/ and we are totally committed to the 2008 election.

The Reagan-Lincoln Dinner that is being held on Wednesday, May 14 at 6pm at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet is an incredible opportunity for Local GOP’s to raise money for their candidates in 2008. For more information, please call 401-782-6365(h) or visit our website at http://www.southkingstowngop.org.

Best Regards,

David Cote’
Chair, South Kingstown Republican Town Committee
401-782-6485 (w)

****************

http://www.1772society.org/policy_lightsout.html

The RIGOP should seriously consider its financial and political position. In light of the missed opportunity in Woonsocket, the party should consider the possibility of re-thinking its level of support and involvement in the 2008 election season. Strong, self-sustaining candidates should be encouraged to continue their runs. Weaker candidates in tougher-to-win seats should be instructed to consider waiting for the 2010 election cycle. The party itself should prepare to conduct a broad effort in 2010 rather than trying to push a bad position in 2008. The party should spend the next two years saving money and recruiting strong candidates for 2010.

The State of Rhode Island has waited 73 years for a Republican resurgence. It can wait two more.

Joe Bucklin
1772 Society
www.1772society.org

Although there has been some disagreement — one might say contentiousness recently with the state GOP — one thing which we as Rhode Island Republicans can all agree upon is the need to raise more money for use by our local GOP town and city committees.

The basics of this — dare we say unprecedented — “local” GOP fundraiser at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet on May 14th are very simple. Donors should write a $100.00 check per person, payable to “[Insert Name of Your Local City or Town GOP Committee]” and mail it to their town GOP Chairperson or Treasurer. Your local GOP committee will collect all funds for your town. They will then be responsible to collect required information and to forward the cost per person to the host committee (currently estimated at $25.00 per person), thus allowing your local committee to keep approximately $75.00 per $100.00 raised per ticket!

Of course, the usual R.I. campaign finance rules apply — $1000 maximum contribution per person. No business or corporate checks accepted. Based on our current approximation of the costs, each town or city GOP committee will be able to sell up to 40 tickets for the benefit of their own local committee (which would mean a $3000 “profit” after expenses for your local committee to spend as the law allows)!

For more information, please contact David Cote, President of the RIGOP Chairmen’s Caucus at (401) 782-6485 or e-mail dacote2 [at] cox [dot] net. You may also contact me [Will] at WillRicci [at] aol [dot] com, as I’ve been helping with this effort as well.

P.S. Even though former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey has fronted the first $1000.00 towards defraying the cost of this event, we want to make it very clear that this isn’t a Laffey “thing” — it’s YOUR event! Chafeeites, Rockefeller Republicans, RINOs, etc. are encouraged to actively participate. Your money is good with us!

There’s a story about it in today’s Providence Journal Political Scene:

GOP’s Cote, Laffey set fundraising dinner

After lobbing grenades at the current management of the state Republican Party, South Kingstown GOP Chairman Dave Cote and his political ally — former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey — are mounting what they are calling an “unprecedented” fundraising effort.

An e-mail invitation to a “Rhode Island Reagan-Lincoln Day Dinner” that went out last week from the South Kingstown GOP announced: “This May, Mayor Steve Laffey and local R.I. Republican Town Committee leaders, members and their guests will gather in an unprecedented grass-roots effort to raise money for local and statewide candidates.”

And by the way, “Mayor Laffey and his wife, Kelly, have contributed to defray the overall cost of the event to maximize benefit to local GOP.” Read the rest of this entry »

Former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey talks about the local economy and ways to improve it (of course, unfounded rumors about a possible 2010 gubernatorial run are brought up, as if there’s some kind of connection).

Newsmakers Segment Two:

Guests are professor Len Lardaro, URI economist and brains behind the current conditions index, and former Cranston mayor, Republican Steve Laffey. Lardaro says we’re already into the second stage of recession in Rhode Island and things are about to get worse. The governor says we’re at a tipping point while Lardaro says we’re past it. Laffey says the only way to right the ship is drastic change. It worked in Cranston it can work for the state. Reduce welfare, not in a draconian way but to at least the average of other states. Tackle the pension challenge by immediately converting pension plans to 401 k’s.

VIDEO

The following message is from the East Providence Taxpayers Association, regarding the upcoming Ward 1 School Committee appointment which the E.P. Democrats and their union overlords are trying to hijack:

Once again we find ourselves in need of your support and help! The Democratic majority of the East Providence City Council appears to be set to Hijack the School Committee appointment and install yet another political hack to fill the vacancy created by he resignation of Eileen Lovett from the Ward 1 seat.

Councilman Bob Cusack has nominated Anthony Carcieri, a registered independent, with no agenda, a vision for the future of the school department, and years of business experience. The Democratic majority of the council is attempting to hijack this appointment and appoint a their own political hack– Michael McNamara– who was employed at the Roger Williams Medical Center during the Celona days. He most recently worked for the Rhode Island Lottery Commission. As a side note, EP School Department legal counsel Robert Silva is also the legal counsel to the RI Lottery commission– and Mr. McNamara’s wife is a teacher.

With the City of East Providence on the brink of financial disaster, and the local teachers contract on the line and up for negotiation this year, can the taxpayers gamble the appointment of another political hack?

Please come to the Special City Council meeting this Tuesday night, March 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM and let the DiTraglia/Silva/Ramos hijack squad know your furious about this behavior and your not going to take it anymore!

Thank You

Rick Croke
Vice Chairman, East Providence Taxpayers Association

PS Make sure to contact the three Democrat members of the council, by phone and/or by e-mail to make your voices heard loud and clear!

At Large: Mayor Isadore S. Ramos, PhD.
33 Bullocks Point Avenue, Apt. 5A
East Providence, RI 02915
(401) 465-6023
izzyr1 [at] verizon [dot] net and iramos [at] cityofeastprov [dot] com

Ward 2: Bryan P. Silva
149 First Street
East Providence, RI 02914
(401) 435-4776 or 434-4214

Ward 4: Bruce DiTraglia, Assistant Mayor
120 Smith Street
East Providence, RI 02915
(401) 699-5208