Sunday, etc.

Would the above pool be sufficient to meet the needs of city residents like Greg Harris and Laketa Cole who believe that swimming pools are a "necessary basic service" of government? If so, we could save millions. Pools are not and never will be a "NECESSARY basic service" of government and when liberals use race to argue that they are--they are wrong! Millions of underprivileged kids, regardless of race, grew up without the NECESSITY of a free municipal pool. So can Cincinnati's kids IF city government can no longer afford them.

And...

Thanks to the many people who sent birthday wishes to me yesterday. It was nice to be remembered.

And...

Governor Palin's decision to resign makes sense for anyone in the public arena. Being in leadership and in the public arena can be highly taxing and I'm sure Governor Palin was just worn out. What we all do to public figures is unfair, but it comes with the territory. Unless you are Barack Obama.

And...

Are you on Facebook and Twitter yet? If not, you've got to try them out. Typically, information goes around Facebook/Twitter before it hits any major news outlet. Take the tragic death of Steve McNair as an example. People were tweeting and updating on Facebook an hour before ANY major news outlet was reporting the story. The "viral" nature of these social media is incredible. It is an online universe that candidates and politicians must embrace.

And...

We have a head-to-head race for who will be the next mayor of Cincinnati. Wenstrup v. Mallory. This is a good thing for the GOP as we can lay out a clear alternative to the failed leadership of the current city government. Help Dr. Wenstrup by visiting www.BradWenstrup.com.

And...

All five GOP candidates for city council have taken C.O.A.S.T.'s no new tax pledge. I'm proud of that. Our candidates are embracing the core principles of our party during a time where the pressure to burden taxpayers will be the greatest. Our party will return to prominence when we embrace our core principles and stick to them. Financial conservatism is at the core of what we ought to be about. The voters demand it and we should deliver.

And...

The most recent vote at the city council on the budget was 5-4 with the liberal Democrats carrying the vote for more spending and less fiscal sanity.

And...

"We have a government we cannot afford." What will we do about that?

And...

The national news has been quite grim lately. It seems we can't watch any news without a death of some public person being reported. It is a good reminder about the sanctity of life and how precious it is.

And...

I'm not afraid to say it: ENOUGH of the Michael Jackson story already.

And...

I'm not afraid to say it: I bought a Big City Slider Station because of Billy Mays.

And...

I had a Democrat Facebook friend write this to me yesterday, "I hope one year older makes you one year wiser. Maybe you'll learn that answers are better than attacks." This guy, well meaning, doesn't understand my job. It has long been the role of political party leaders to point out contrasts between the political parties. I am an ADVOCATE for my side and, sometimes, that means I must be on the offensive. I don't serve in government. I serve as a party leader. My job is to have Republicans win--everywhere. If you want bi-partisan cooperation for good government, ask a candidate or elected office holder to do that. I prefer Republican candidates who can work effectively with Democrats (i.e. Rob Portman), but my job is to promote Republicans. As Bill O'Reilly says, "wise up!"

And...

Have a great Sunday.

Necessary Basic Services?

I can't resist...sometimes it is just too easy....

The Enquirer's blog reports that city council member Laketa Cole believes that "pools and recreation centers" are "necessary basic services" of government. Ms. Cole was talking to the Enquirer about the current budget crisis. Here is an excerpt from the blog posting by Enquirer reporter Jane Prendergast:

"She [Ms. Cole] considers pools and recreation centers necessary basic services. She learned to swim at Washington Park pool. She credits her time there and at recreation centers for putting her on the path toward getting her bachelor's degree and now a master's while some of her friends from childhood were having babies as young as 13. Council will have to decide what it considers necessary basic services for the city to provide."

Read the entire blog post here.

Government is out of control when leaders in government make statements like that one. If we get to a point where politicians feel they have to say that swimming pools are a "necessary basic service" to get elected, our democracy is terribly at risk. Swimming pools are not and never will be a "necessary basic service" of government.

Alexander Tyler, an 18th century Scottish history professor, wrote,

"A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result being that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.”

We need to restore sanity to city government--and soon.

Mayor in Japan, etc.

The Enquirer reports that Mayor Mark Mallory is in Gifu, Japan to celebrate 20 years of Gifu being a sister city to Cincinnati. He was in China last summer for a similar celebration. I hope the cost of this trip is not being borne by the taxpayers. I have no reason to think it is, but you can be sure we'll find out. I'll reserve comment until we know.

And...

Sen. Bob Schuler's Senate seat remains open. The furious lobbying has begun. Sen. Schuler will be missed.

And...

"Governor Strickland is doing an appalling job for Ohio." Why is this in quotes? Because those words--as true as they are--do not come from me. That is the title of a recent column written by respected political columnist Brent Larkin of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Read his column on Gov. Strickland here. Brent Larkin is not a Republican and hardly a shill for the Ohio GOP. His column is spot-on. About Strickland, he writes, "[N]oboby should believe he's a good governor--because he's not." He then goes on to say, "[t]he lack of leadership this governor has shown throughout this crisis is nothing short of appalling." Tough words. And it doesn't get any nicer after that. Governor Strickland has been a terrible governor of this state. His nice-guy image has certainly worn off as the state faces serious problems that he is incapable of managing. He is playing politics to assure his re-election in 2010 and political observers everywhere are taking notice. The voters are not far behind.

And...

Speaking of Governors, John Kasich's campaign is in overdrive already. John is a fantastic political candidate and an incredibly intelligent guy. He will be elected our next Governor in 2010.

And...

Greg Harris voted for the wasteful and unnecessary Environmental Justice Ordinance. He supported Laketa Cole during her dust-up with the police by questioning police tactics rather than condemning her abuse of power. And, now, he is making ridiculous assertions about policing the city. That guy has got to go.

And...

I can't believe that Al Franken will be a United States Senator. How Minnesotans can get it so right sometimes (Gov. Tim Pawlenty) and so wrong other times (Jesse Ventura and Al Franken) amazes me.

And...

Back to the Brent Larkin article on Governor Strickland...here are a few more highlights:

• "But that a governor actually advocated a reckless policy that would destroy Ohio's fine system of public libraries shows how completely clueless he is about the state he's lived in pretty much all his life."
  
  
• "Strickland acts as if that future begins and ends with his 2010 re-election campaign."
  
  
• "[H]is administration operates on an inexcusable double standard."
  
  
• "Strickland is, by no small margin, the worst governor for Cleveland in my lifetime."
  
  
• "If Strickland were a Republican, this state's many advocates for children would be burning him in effigy on the Statehouse lawn. But while these folks are extraordinarily well meaning, most are also Democrats. So their criticism of this governor is shamefully gentle. "

And...

I'm off to the beach.

And...

Have a great Wednesday.

Driehaus Wrong on Cap and Trade

***Immediate Release***

Rep. Steve Driehaus voted "Yes" on HR 2454, the so-called "Cap and Trade" Bill, further alienating him from his constituents in Ohio's 1st Congressional District. To see his vote and how he joined his Democratic colleagues in raising your taxes, click here.

This controversial tax hike on energy passed under the guise of protecting the environment. It passed on a largely party-line vote of 219-212. With 44 Democrats opposing it (including ultra-liberal Dennis Kucinich), the Democratic leadership needed Steve Driehaus. As usual, they got him.

Mr. Driehaus has forgotten where he came from and is now part of the liberal, big-spending, over-taxing Democratic machine in Washington, D.C. He does what he is told in Washington by the Democratic party.

The "cap and trade" bill is a tax hike on energy. House minority leader John Boehner says it best:

"The so-called “cap and trade” proposal amounts to a carbon tax, plain and simple. The plan would cap emissions, such as carbon dioxide, and force companies to purchase “credits” from companies who use less energy to meet the governments’ emissions requirements. House Republicans agree that we should work together to make real progress in promoting clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment, but “cap and trade” is not the answer.

The Administration’s budget expects to raise $646 billion in “climate revenue” by 2020. That’s $646 billion in new taxes imposed on coal, oil, and natural gas - which currently provides 85% of America’s energy. “Cap and trade” would empower bureaucrats in Washington to dictate energy prices and make choices that are best left to free markets and free people. Proposing new taxes on energy during a recession is not the answer to creating economic growth or job creation."

Statement of Chairman Alex M. Triantafilou

"This vote for "cap and trade" by Rep. Driehaus is further proof that he has forgotten his west-side roots and is now part of the big spending and big taxing Democratic majority in Washington. After his election in November, it was my hope that he would follow a more centrist course in Washington like some of his Democratic predecessors in the 1st Congressional district. He has done the opposite."

"Rep. Driehaus has demonstrated a history of voting just as the Democratic majority in Washington wants him to vote. He supported Nancy Pelosi as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He voted for the nearly $800 billion stimulus package that will burden our great-grandchildren with debt and has yet to stimulate anything. Now, he has voted for a massive tax on energy at a time when our nation can least afford it."

"Mr. Driehaus' party-line voting history is a far departure from the independent voice of Steve Chabot. Mr. Driehaus has failed to put a CAP on frivolous spending and higher taxes in Washington so the voters should TRADE him for Steve Chabot in 2010."

Democrat(ic) Money Burn: Cincinnati Public Schools

On Monday, June 22, 2009, certain Democratic Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education members made a proposal that may lead to a further waste of your money.

I could go on at length about the frivolous and unnecessary spending that has gone on at the CPS for years. Democrats run the schools in Cincinnati. Spending is part of their DNA.

What is the latest way they may want to waste your money? They tabled a resolution that includes language that will require that successful bidders on certain school construction contracts pay prevailing wage to persons who win the bid.

Here is the language:

"The Bidder shall certify that it, and its subcontractors or any other contractor performing work on the project covered under the contract of the Bidder, shall pay the prevailing wage rate and comply with the other provisions set forth in Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law, R.C. 4115.03 through 4115.16, and O.A.C. 4101:9-4-01 through 4101:9-4-28. This includes, but is not limited to, the filing of certified payroll reports."

Are Board members asking the right questions about this? Is prevailing wage necessary under state law? Is it legally necessary to pay prevailing wage for these types of projects? Or, is it simply a way to placate the unions that wield so much power over the Board and the Cincinnati Public Schools.

How about another question. If prevailing wage is not legally necessary for projects like these, how does paying prevailing wage help the children of Cincinnati Public Schools get a better education? Shouldn't the Board be focused on what is best for the children and the taxpayers?

We can have these questions answered when we elect Todd McIntosh, Chris McDowell and John Banner to the Board.

Wenstrup to Formally File Petitions for Cincinnati Mayor

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009


Wenstrup To Formally File Petitions For Cincinnati Mayor....the race is on

WHO: Brad Wenstrup and local business owners
WHAT: Announcement of petition filing for Mayor of Cincinnati
WHERE: Wooley Electric Co. (1676 Hoffner St., in Northside - corner of Cherry and Hoffner Streets, near I-74 & 75)
WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

As the City of Cincinnati faces an ever-growing budget crisis, runaway crime and difficult decisions that require a seasoned leader, Brad Wenstrup officially emerges as a candidate for Mayor. Wenstrup will make a few remarks and be available for questions.

www.BradWenstrup.com.
###

Sen. Schuler Arrangements

Calling hours: Mon 6/22, 2-4 PM & also 6-8 PM @ Thomas-Justin Memorial Funeral Home, 7500 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati 45236. Funeral mass Tues 6/23 9:30 AM @ St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 7754 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati.

Senator Bob Schuler

Our state, our county, and our party lost a great man yesterday with the passing of State Senator Bob Schuler. Bob passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with cancer.

Bob Schuler was a great man. As a legislator, he stayed true to his conservative Republican principles but always managed to work effectively to achieve great things in government. He was a gentleman. In addition to his strong work in the legislature, Bob was a great father and husband. He will be truly missed.

Bob was well enough to make it to party headquarters only a few weeks ago. He seemed to be getting along quite well and he was completely himself. He offered up his advice on many statewide issues and he was "in the game" in every way.

Bob's "Pasta Parties" became a spring tradition among the party faithful and, true to his conservatism, Bob never asked for more than about $25 at this annual fundraising event. I attended several and the huge crowds were a testament to how popular Bob was.

Bob's accomplishments in the legislature were recognized by many groups leading to his receiving these awards: Ohio Brain Injury Association-Meritorious Award, Ohio Parks and Recreation- Legislator of the Year , Ohio Social Workers-Public Official of the Year, Hamilton County Township Association- Legislator of the Year, Ohio AMVETS- Legislator of the Year, United Conservatives of Ohio-Watchdog of the Treasury.

We should all keep Bob and his wonderful family in our prayers. I will be posting more information about the arrangements for Bob as they become known to us.