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Showing posts with label RINO's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RINO's. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2019

County GOP in Missouri Engages In Trump Cult Worship

Christian County Defiles Christianity, Abe Lincoln & the Republican Party
What a way to start off a work week. In another sign of The SATANIC takeover of much of our Grand Old Party. Word has come to us that the Christian County Republican Party has chosen to go down the blasphemous road and has changed their fundraising dinners to the Lincoln/Trump Day Dinner. Instead of keeping the more honorable century old tradition of Lincoln Day Dinners. Named in honor of one of our greatest presidents and the first man to win the presidency on the GOP ticket. After all Lincoln only helped to end slavery and restore the United States. That’s nothing compared to President Trump surviving his own personal Vietnam of avoiding STD’s! This action by the Christian (And we use that word loosely) County GOP as bad as it is, is but one of two reprehensible actions taken by these big government, socialist creeeps masquerading as conservatives. The Hill reported today that a United States Senator’s adhering to their oath of office is secondary to worshiping at the altar of Trump. The Hill reported:

A Missouri county GOP committee disinvited Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) to a dinner event next month, citing his recent vote against President Trump’s emergency declaration to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. 

“I am so disappointed in you now that I can hardly speak,” Wanda Martens, the party committee’s events chairwoman, wrote in an email to Blunt’s office obtained by The Kansas City Star. “Why could you not support my president in the emergency declaration? President Trump tried every available means to work the Senate to resolve the border issue and build the much needed wall. He is well within his presidential powers to do this.”

Blunt, the fourth-ranking Republican in the Senate, was the only member of GOP leadership to vote for the resolution of disapproval that would block Trump's emergency declaration. The president vetoed the resolution Friday.

The Missouri Republican cited the separation of powers to justify his vote in a radio interview last week.

“The last power really left to Congress is the power to control appropriations, the power of the purse, which anybody’s ever looked at the constitution has heard that phrase over and over again," he told KCMO. “And I think it’s an important phrase.”

Blunt has also warned a future Democratic president could take advantage of the precedent set by the national emergency declaration and take action on issues such as gun control or environmental regulations.


We have not always been very big fans of Senator Blunt but on this issue he is right on the money. Kudos to Senator Blunt for doing his job. He should view it as a badge of honor that Wanda Martens and the rest of what David Leach AKA “The Strident Conservative” calls the Fellowship of the Pharisees dislike him so much. Keep up the good work Senator. History will judge you well. As for most of the GOP in this year of our lord two thousand and nineteen. Historians will record how too many who are supposed to carry the political torch of Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and William F Buckley. Decided to sell their souls to Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Jerry Falwell, Jr and Steve Miller. Let us fight on fellow #NeverTrumpers!!!!

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Great Scott! New Polls in Wisconsin Show Governor Walker Losing Bid for Third Term in November

Governor Scott Walker RINO-Wisconsin

If recent polling coming out of the Badger State is reliable. Than Fake Conservative/Republican Governor Scott Walker maybe looking for another job after November. Yesterday over at The Hill Justin Wise reported on a new poll that put's Walker behind his probable Democratic opponent Tony Evers the Wisconsin State School Superintendent. Wise reported:

The survey, which was released on Monday, found that Evers leads Walker 48 percent to 41 percent, with 7 percent of voters still undecided. Emerson College notes that a deciding factor in this race could be Walker's waning approval among independents in the state. Walker has an approval rating of 34 percent among independents, according to the poll. 
Meanwhile, Evers, who is the state schools superintendent, has a 47 percent approval among independents. 
Wise mentions that this is the second poll in the last week to show Walker falling behind Evers: 
The Emerson poll is the second one in less than a week that has Walker trailing in his bid for a third term as governor. A NBC News/Marist poll last Thursday found that Walker was trailing his likely Democratic challenger by 13 points, or 54 percent to 41 percent. Earlier this year Walker warned that a “blue wave” could hit the state in the midterm elections. In his warning he claimed that “big government special interests” will “target me and work to undo our bold reforms.”
IR will of course be keeping an eye on Walker's race and we are interested to see if he will win another term. Like Paul Ogden and the late, great Gary Welsh our readers can count all of the IR posse among the group of conservative republicans who are not fans of Scott Walker's. Lest our readers were to remain unaware back in 2015 Governor Walker signed into law a $500 Million tax increase to subsidize the NBA Milwaukee Bucks so that the team could build a new sports arena. Paul Ogden and Gary Welsh wrote about Walker's fleecing of Wisconsin taxpayers and betrayal of conservative principles here, here, and here. Let's see if Scotty can weasel his way into another term so that he can live off the taxpayers for another four years.






Thursday, February 22, 2018

Christine Scales tells Fake Republican Jim Merritt why Indianapolis Roads are so bad

Many times on this blog we have praised Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales and criticized Marion County Democratic Republican Party Chairman and State Senator Jim Merritt for his nonsense. Links to our past posts on Christine Scales and Jim Merritt can be found here, and here. Merritt issued this statement earlier this week about the current state of Indianapolis's roads:

Chairman Jim Merritt Comments on Road Conditions

INDIANAPOLIS – Today Marion County Republican Party Chairman Jim Merritt spoke out in frustration on the shameful conditions of our roads.


“It’s been less than a month since I first spoke out about the deplorable conditions of our roads and they’ve only gotten worse. When I first challenged the administration on their lack of action to repair the crumbling roads in Indianapolis, there were about 1,700 open cases of potholes. Only three weeks later, we have nearly 5,000 reported cases of potholes,” said Merritt.

“Why isn’t the Mayor using all of the $50 million dollars given to the City from the State for road and infrastructure projects now? Perhaps he doesn’t think we need it. Or is he waiting until next year when he’s up for re-election to spend it in order to score some cheap political points? Our roads aren’t just degrading at an alarming rate, they’re becoming a danger to the citizens of Marion County. There is no question the Mayor of Indianapolis has countless responsibilities. We expect our Mayor to pick up the trash, plow the snow, fill our potholes and keep us safe. Right now this Mayor is not making the grade.”

“Pothole Joe can put on a reflector vest for the cameras and act like he has a solution to our pothole and infrastructure problems, but the media sees through that and more importantly, the residents of Marion County see through it. It’s time for Pothole Joe to stop playing games and actually get serious about fixing our streets.”


To this Christine Scales torched Merritt with this reply on her Facebook page:





Fact Check GOP County Chair Merritt's Road Condition Blame Game:
IF.... the $400 million in ReBuild Indy dollars received from the water rights sale hadn't turned into a slush fund, we wouldn't be where we are today.
IF:...millions in ReBuild Indy funds-ordained to fund only roads, sidewalks, bridges, and some drainage projects hadn't been used to remodel a wing of the City Market, spent on a Cricket Field, spent to shore up Blue Indy, and other non-priority projects....
IF....Asphalt contractor's work had been held to industry standards the newly resurfaced roads under Ballard wouldn't be in the deteriorated condition they are in today.
IF...Sen. Merritt wouldn't burden Marion County with unfunded mandates in the Statehouse that overburden our City budget, we would have more money to dedicate to infrastructure.
"Chairman Jim Merritt Comments on Road Conditions
INDIANAPOLIS – Today Marion County Republican Party Chairman Jim Merritt spoke out in frustration on the shameful conditions of our roads."

Councilwoman Scales is of course calling Merritt out on former Republicrat Mayor Greg Ballard's asinine Blue Indy, a Cricket Field, and scores of other useless projects which have only served to drain the life blood our of Indianapolis. We are not aware of any replies yet by Merritt to Scales statement. We would be greatly surprised if Merritt even attempts a reply. The man is a useless fool who the Marion County GOP should kick to the curb. As long as Merritt or another toady like him is in charge of the Marion County GOP the party is assured of nothing but continued disaster.

Friday, November 17, 2017

The Continuing Mystery of Carmel Mayor Brainard's April Joyride




Back in May we reported on Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard's suspicious April 2017 car accident. In that same post we also mentioned that this is not the first car accident that Brainard has had during his almost quarter-century reign as Mayor of Carmel:

In November 2002, he T-boned a school bus in a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, while attempting to turn left on 99th Street to Westfield Boulevard. No one was injured, but both vehicles were damaged.

We also provided some information revealed to INDY REPUBLICAN by our sources about Jim Brainard:

As far as we can deduce from the information available to us we cannot see any evidence of the police acting improperly at this time. But Brainard's stating that he was fatigued at the time of the incident, along with rumors that Brainard has been suffering from some unrevealed health malady for some time now, possibly prior to 2010. Coupled with sources telling IR that Mayor Brainard is reputed to be very hyperactive, an extreme multitasker, and now having been involved in two traffic accidents during his 20 year reign as mayor. This does raise very serious questions about whether he is physically up to the demands of his job. He may very well be. We strongly would recommend to Mayor Brainard that he get himself medical care ASAP. He also needs to be straight forward with Carmelites about his health. If he is not careful he or others maybe hurt or even killed

We had heard nothing further about this case until last night, when WRTV's Paris Lewbel reported that their is no record of Mayor Brainard having taken an alcohol test in relation to this car accident.

Mr. Lewbel reported:


Carmel city officials say there is no record of Mayor Jim Brainard taking a drug or alcohol test after he crashed a city vehicle in April. They also say – despite the city’s own employee alcohol policy – that he didn’t have to.
On April 20, Brainard crossed the center line and crashed his city vehicle into a trailer while driving on 3rd Avenue Southwest.

The mayor told responding officers that he thought he may have fallen asleep, and that he’d been “struggling to stay awake earlier.”

After checking to make sure he wasn’t injured, the officers offered to give Brainard a ride back to city hall. He declined multiple times, saying instead that he would walk back.

One of the officers, Carmel Police Lt. Adam Miller, was wearing a wireless microphone that captured the conversation (You can hear the conversation yourself by clicking on the video at the beginning of this post):

Lt. Miller: “Mayor, how are you doing? You alright?”
Brainard: “I’m fine, thank you. I don’t know, I may have slipped over. I was struggling to stay awake earlier. But I don’t think so. Maybe.”
Lt. Miller: “As far as the whole testing process and everything, do you just want to do that through HR? Or do you want us to help you with that? How do you want to handle that?”
Brainard: “Oh, do I need to be tested? Yeah, I do, don't I?”
Lt. Miller: “Because it is a tow-away.”
Brainard: “Yeah.”
Lt. Miller: “If we’re going to tow it.”
Brainard: “Yeah, sure.”

Carmel’s drug and alcohol testing policy requires city employees driving city-owned vehicles to take a post-crash test as soon as possible if one ore more of the vehicles involved “incur disabling damage and must be transported away from the accident scene by a tow truck.”


Carmel Employee Policy

Based on the conversation caught by Miller’s mic, the officers thought Brainard was on his way to do just that.

Officer 1: “He’s walking back to City Hall to talk to Barb so he can go get his pee test.”         
Officer 2: “OK good.”      
Officer 1: “I know, he’s going to have to go get tested.”

The official report for the incident lists fatigue as a contributing factor to the crash. The boxes for drug and alcohol testing were left blank.


Following months of records requests and digging through crash reports, dash cam video and city policies, Call 6 Investigates found no evidence that the mayor ever submitted to a drug or alcohol test following the crash.
Call 6 Investigates specifically asked the city for any communications, invoices or proof that the mayor followed Carmel’s drug and alcohol testing policy and received the following response: “The city has identified no records that are responsive to your request.”

The city declined a request for an interview with Brainard, but was willing to answer questions via email.
Our first question: Why did the mayor fall asleep while driving?
“The mayor was very tired, having worked several long days in a row,” wrote Nancy Heck, director of community relations and economic development for the city of Carmel. “He had been in downtown Indianapolis for an early morning event and had not had a break while on his way to his next event.”
And about the mayor’s apparent acknowledgement that he might have to take a post-crash alcohol and drug test?
“The mayor, when talking to the police, said he understood he may have to take a test, but he also knew he had a speech to give at the historical society and he did not want to cancel at the last minute,” Heck wrote.

Heck also said that, despite the wording of the city’s employee drug and alcohol policy, the mayor is exempt from the post-crash testing requirement because he is an elected official.
Call 6 Investigates went through the city’s employee handbook and drug and alcohol testing policy and could not find any language exempting elected officials from it. Heck acknowledged that there is no language specifically exempting elected officials, but said they are, nevertheless, exempted.
“Elected officials are not employees. That’s not a policy, it’s just a fact,” Heck wrote. “They are not hired by the City. They are elected by the residents of Carmel.”

Heck said Brainard did in fact meet with officials in the HR department following the crash, but that he did not take a drug or alcohol test. She said the mayor had not had any alcohol on the day of the crash.
Call 6 Investigates was able to confirm that Brainard did keep his appointment to speak at the Carmel Clay Historical Society less than an hour after the crash.
The other driver involved in the crash was cited for driving without a license and driving without insurance. No injuries were reported by either party.

INDY REPUBLICAN would like to thank Mr. Lewbel for an excellent story last night. And for following up on this story. We are curious to find out if Mayor Brainard really is exempt from the policy that applies to those who work for him? We do not know if Brainard had taken any substances that day or if he was simply exhausted. But imagine that you or us had crashed a car into Jim Brainard's city vehicle. Would we be allowed to avoid taking a blood alcohol test? We don't thing so! Let us keep up the pressure on the media to get to the bottom of this. If Mayor Brainard God forbid has another car crash. He or others maybe injured or even killed.

Please click the contact tabs on the following news websites and demand they keep looking into this. Don't just call, email, or submit contact forms. Submit, email and call them every 15 minutes! 24/7 if nobody is there leave them a message on their voicemails! Hand deliver letters to there offices! Tell them the ghost of Gary Welsh sent you!

http://www.wthr.com

Also contact the City of Carmel Government itself. Here is the contact information for the City:

Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032

Main phone: 317-571-2400

Mayor: Honorable James Brainard,
(317) 571-2401











Monday, August 28, 2017

Fake Republican Governor Eric "Taxman" Holcomb Strikes Again


Governor Eric Holcomb RINO-Ninth Circle of Hell

Pray as we all do that Governor "Bagman" Holcomb will decide to stop being a traitor to the historic principles of Republicanism. Mad Old Eric just can't resist trying to squeeze citizens and voters for more money. Holly Hayes over at the Indianapolis Star with contributions from Kaitlin Lange reports that Governor Holcomb wants to get the United States Supreme Court to overturn a 1992 SCOTUS decision so that he can force out of state businesses to pay tribute to collect and give sales taxes to the State of Indiana.

Ms. Hayes has the story:

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state Monday asking a court to find one of Indiana's newest laws constitutional. 

House Enrolled Act 1129, which went into effect July 1, would require out-of-state businesses to collect and remit the same sales taxes as Indiana-based businesses, according to a news release.

The lawsuit "seeks to level the playing field" between Indiana businesses and out-of-state businesses conducting business online.

In a statement released Monday night, Gov. Eric Holcomb called for the United States Supreme Court to overturn its 1992 ruling that out-of-state retails not collect and remit sales and use taxes.

"In light of the rapid evolution and capabilities of software and technology, the incredible growth of online sales in recent years and other factors, it’s time for the Supreme Court to revisit and overturn this ruling," Holcomb said. "Hoosier-based businesses need the ability to compete on a level playing field as soon as possible."

Holcomb signed the law with full knowledge of SCOTUS' prior decision. The law includes a provision that the state legally challenge that ruling.

It looks a lot like Holcomb is just grandstanding and praying that the Supreme Court will overturn their earlier decision from 1992. IR wonders if Governor Holcomb is aware that the Supreme Court hears less than 1% of the cases sent to it each year. And even should they hear the case and rule in the states favor. That will take years. For a "fiscal conservative" Eric Holcomb certainly loves tax money! After all he signed over 45 tax and user fee hikes into law earlier this year! Tell us all again. Why is Eric Holcomb a Republican? If he is going to raise taxes all the time he and the Daniels-Oesterle-RINO wing of the Indiana Republican Party needs to take a hike!

Monday, June 19, 2017

"Taxman" Governor Eric Holcomb AKA Mitch Daniels Lapdog!


RINO TRAITOR ERIC HOLCOMB 

It's a beautiful Monday today here in Indiana. All of us here have had a great start to the week. Hope all of you have as well. Now unfortunately we must switch gears and discuss something far less pleasant. We are talking about our political hack of a Governor Eric "Taxman" Holcomb. What can we say about this soulless eyed, butt chinned, vampiric parasite that has not already been said before? Unfortunately he is so "insane in the membrane" it's hard to stop discussing his shortcomings!

As we start the dog days of summer many of us are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the warmth of the outdoors. Unfortunately this summer Hoosiers are going to start feeling the pinch of higher gas taxes and user fees courtesy of Eric Holcomb and the spineless jellyfish that are our republican state legislators!

Dan Carden of the Northwest Indiana Times has the story in his column "Indiana legislature, governor hike 45 different taxes, fees paid by Hoosiers", click here to read it. 

Mr. Carden writes:

Motorists almost certainly will notice when fuel prices across Indiana increase by 10 cents per gallon on July 1. 

Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb enacted a fuel tax hike to fund road construction projects and restore the buying power lost to inflation since the current fuel tax rates were established more than a decade ago.
But that's far from the only new charge Hoosiers soon will pay.
Carden points out that "Altogether, Indiana lawmakers imposed or increased at least 45 different taxes and fees on everything from notary services to teacher background checks, according to a review by The Times of every law passed during the 2017 legislative session." 
And what does our so called fiscally responsible Governor think of the hikes in taxes and fees? He most certainly thinks they are a bad idea and is working to undo this right? WRONG!
Carden says: "Holcomb declined to characterize that (fees and tax hikes) as "a lot" of tax and fee hikes.
He instead was quick to insist, "I'm very comfortable with paying for what we need."
The question to ask who is this "we" that Holcomb speaks of? And what is it they need and why?
Carden quotes State Senator Brandt Hershman as saying:
"State Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, chairman of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, said Indiana lawmakers adjust various taxes and fees every year, but strive to avoid a general tax increase on incomes or sales.
"Many of us feel that's a good policy, because it's a fee-for-service model and people can make a decision as to whether it's a good value for them or not, and whether they're getting bang for their buck," Hershman said."
What Hershman doesn't point out is that Hoosiers have to pay the taxes by law. And in many instances the fees are not something that we can avoid paying.
Now in marked contrast to Hershman, Holcomb and other so-called Hoosier Republicans who see no problem in gouging taxpayers. The leader of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus had a different view of the legislatures raising taxes.
"House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, quipped that he's not sure Hoosier Republicans are the party of Ronald Reagan anymore, since the high number of tax and fee increases they enacted seemingly go against the tax-cutting policies championed by the 40th president.
"Sometimes I get a little flummoxed," Pelath said. "The raids on the private citizens' wallets come in a myriad of ways, in very small amounts, spread over a very wide area ... and they're very hard to keep up with."
This defies logic and reason. To think the day has arrived when Indiana Republicans are correctly scolded by the State House Democratic Leader for abandoning the traditional conservative republican principles of Reagan and lowering taxes and reducing government spending. We are not surprised after all Holcomb is simply doing as he is told by former "Godfather" Governor Mitch Daniels. Daniels is the little runt of a man who believes he deserves to rule over others. 
Here is a little ditty that describes accurately Holcomb and Daniels:







Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Joyriding Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard Crashed City Car

 







This mornings edition of the Indianapolis Star reported that RINO Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard had crashed a Carmel city car last month.

Indystar reporter Chris Sikich reporting on last months crash writes:

No one was injured or cited in the crash, although the driver of the vehicle Brainard hit faces a charge for driving without a license. 
Brainard was driving northbound on 3rd Avenue SW around 2 p.m. April 20 when he crossed the center line along the curve north of Carmel Drive, according to the Carmel Police Department report. Jose Guzman Uribe, 36, Indianapolis, was driving southbound in a 2006 Chevy Silverado hauling a trailer for his lawn-mowing business. Brainard crashed into the trailer.
The mayor told police he was feeling fatigued before he crossed the center line, according to the report. 
Brainard did not respond to an interview request. In an emailed statement, city spokeswoman Nancy Heck said the mayor was returning to City Hall from a meeting in Downtown Indianapolis.
The city is leasing the 2017 Ford Fusion Titanium, the highest end of the Fusion models, for $649.45 a month. The mayor signed the three-year lease through Tom Wood via Quality Leasing Co. in July 2016 as part of his benefit package. That's $23,380 over the life of the lease, plus expenses such as oil changes. The Fusion's retail price is $32,018.
Heck said insurance will buy out the lease for $29,588.50. The city will pay a $500 deductible, she said. The mayor is driving another city-owned car. 

Heck said the trailer was damaged, but no claim has been submitted to the city. 
Lt. Joe Bickel, Carmel Police Department's public information officer, said it is up to the officer at the scene to decide whether to conduct a sobriety test or cite a motorist involved in a crash. In this case, the officer didn't think either was warranted.
Harvey Lancaster, an attorney with Hensley Legal Group, which specializes in traffic crashes, said police typically only issue tickets in crashes if they witness a violation. He said officers have discretion to conduct toxicology tests based on what they witness. 
"It varies from case to case," he said. 
It appears that Mayor Brainard has crashed a city owned vehicle at least once before. 
Sikich continues:
In November 2002, he T-boned a school bus in a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, while attempting to turn left on 99th Street to Westfield Boulevard. No one was injured, but both vehicles were damaged. 
Jose Guzman Uribe the unlicensed driver of the car that was towing the trailer that Brainard hit. Has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor for driving without a license. He previously received a 60 day suspended sentence in 2014 for driving with out a license.
IR has been unable to uncover any other information about Brainard's 2002 T-Boning of a school bus. Late last year we posted about Mayor Brainard and the Star's Matt Tully's mancrush on Brainard. That was about the article that Tully wrote proclaiming that Brainard was woefully underpaid as mayor. Tully as usual was simply lavishing praise on another member of Tully's Circle Jerk Club! 
As far as we can deduce from the information available to us we cannot see any evidence of the police acting improperly at this time. But Brainard's stating that he was fatigued at the time of the incident, along with rumors that Brainard has been suffering from some unrevealed health malady for some time now, possibly prior to 2010. Coupled with sources telling IR that Mayor Brainard is reputed to be very hyperactive, an extreme multitasker, and now having been involved in two traffic accidents during his 20 year reign as mayor. This does raise very serious questions about whether he is physically up to the demands of his job. He may very well be. We strongly would recommend to Mayor Brainard that he get himself medical care ASAP. He also needs to be straight forward with Carmelites about his health. If he is not careful he or others maybe hurt or even killed. If anyone has any information about this incident or Brainard's 2002 accident. Please fill out our contact form on the web version on the Indy Republican blog, or contact Paul Ogden of Ogden On Politics fame, or call Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036, or WRTV reporter Kara Kenney via twitter or Facebook.
Fellow Blogger Paul Ogden also reported on old Jimbo Brainard's driving issues here.





Monday, February 20, 2017

Indiana Legislature Seeks to End Access to Public Records

If Hoosiers needed anymore proof that the Indiana State Legislature is the absolute worst in the United States. Then look no further than Tony Cook's article entitled: "Should you have to pay $20 an hour for a public records search?". Cook's article first published in the Indianapolis Star on February 17th, 2016 is in reference to the attempt by a large number of Indiana lawmakers to make access to public records even more difficult.







Cook writes:


"The cost to access public records could rise sharply under a bill the Indiana House approved Thursday.
House Bill 1523 would allow state and local governments to charge up to $20 an hour for public record searches. Those fees would apply when government officials spend more than two hours searching for a record requested by journalists or members of the public.
The House voted 62-25 in favor of the measure. It now goes to the Senate.
Lawmakers passed a similar measure in 2015, but then-Gov. Mike Pence vetoed it, saying "the cost of public records should never be a barrier to the public’s right to know."

Rep. Kathy Richardson, the Noblesville Republican who introduced the bill this year, said 27 other states and the federal government allow similar fees to address the costs of fulfilling large public information requests.
Her colleague, Rep. Karen Engleman, said that as a former Harrison County auditor, record requests could consume a lot of staff time.
“Some people come in and ask for hours and hours of research to be done,” Engleman said. “We don’t get paid anything for doing that.”


Opponents argued that citizens shouldn’t be required to pay for records created and maintained with their own tax money. They also fear the measure could allow government agencies to charge large fees for information they want to hide.
“I just think as a matter of principle these records belong to the taxpayers. Government records are the people’s records. The employees in whatever level of government are paid for by the taxpayers. They are our employees. They work for us,” said Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington. “To have to come in and pay to get access to your records I just think is not a good principle, not a good policy.”
He cited a case in Florida where a county sheriff’s office charged a newspaper $339,000 for a request seeking emails containing gay slurs. Other counties quoted as little as $37 for the same request.
“I think you’re going to open it up to where people come in that are looking for stuff the government doesn’t want them to see, they’re going to get a really high fee,” Pierce said.
State law currently allows local governments and most state agencies to charge a fee for actual copying costs, but not for the time employees spend gathering records."



As the article notes a bill just like this one did pass in 2015. But in perhaps the only good move that Mike "Pampered" Pence made while he was Governor he vetoed this insane piece of legislation. Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden have both blogged on this their articles can be found here, herehere, and here. This bill is nothing more than politicians attempting to shield themselves from being held accountable by the voters that they are supposed to be the servants of! So that you know who is looking out for you and who is only seeking to protect themselves from we the people. We have provided below the names of the legislators so far that have supported and opposed this bill. If you want to do your best to make a difference contact each and every legislator by phone, email, mail, and fax and tell them you want this bill HB 1523 destroyed! Make them fear you the voter! As promised here are the traitors who have voted for this garbage already also listed are the patriots that voted against this bill:


Judases who have voted for HB 1523:
Authors of this POS:


Rep. Kathy Richardson-RINO, Noblesville. Email: courtney.heiden@iga.in.gov
Rep. Phillip GiaQunita-D, Fort Wayne. Click here to contact him.
Rep. Karen Engleman-RINO, Corydon. Click here to contact her.
Rep. Kevin Mahan-RINO, Hartford City. Click here to contact him.                                     

 Other Representatives who voted for HB1523:

Arnold, Llyod-RINO  

Bacon, Ron-RINO   

Baird, Jim-RINO   

Beumer, Greg-RINO   

Borders, Bruce-RINO  

Braun, Mike-RINO 

Brown, Tim-RINO  

Burton, Woody-RINO, Johnson County  

Carbaugh, Martin-RINO   

Cherry, Don-RINO  

Clere , Ed-RINO  

Cook, Tony-RINO (Not INDYSTAR Tony Cook)  

Culver, Wes-RINO  

Davisson, Steve-RINO  

Eberhart, Sean-RINO  

Ellington, Jeff-RINO 

Friend, Bill-RINO

Frye, Randy-RINO

Gutwein, Douglas-RINO

Hamm, Dick-RINO

Heaton, Bob-RINO

Heine, David-RINO

Huston, Todd-RINO

Jordan, Jack-RINO

Judy, Christopher-RINO

Kerickhoff, Cindy-RINO

Klinker, Shelia-D

Lawson, Linda-D

Lehe, Don-RINO

Lehman, Matt-RINO

Leonard, Dan-RINO

Lucas, Jim-RINO

Lyness, Randy-RINO

May, Chris-RINO

Mayfield, Peggy-RINO

McNamara, Wendy-RINO

Miller, Doug-RINO

Morris, Bob-RINO

Negele, Sharon-RINO

Nisly, Curt-RINO

Ober, David-RINO

Olthoff, Julie-RINO

Pressel, Jim-RINO

Siegrist, Sally-RINO


Slager, Hal-RINO

Smaltz, Ben-RINO

Smith, Milo-RINO

Soliday, Ed-RINO

Stemler, Steven-D

Steurwald, Greg-RINO

Sullivan, Holli-RINO

Thompson, Jeff-RINO

VanNatter, Heath-RINO

Washburne, Thomas-RINO

Wesco, Timothy-RINO

Young, John-RINO

Ziemke, Cindy-RINO

Representatives that voted against HB 1523:


Austin, Terri-D 


Bartlett, John-D 


Brown, Charlie-D  


Candelaria Reardon, Maria-D 


DeLaney, Ed-D 


Dvorak, Ryan-D


Errington, Sue-D


Forestal, Dan-D


Goodin, Terry-D


Hamilton, Carey-D

Harris, Earl-D

Hatfield, Ryan-D

Kersey, Clyde-D

Macer, Karlee-D

Moed, Justin-D

Morrison, Alan-Real Republican

Moseley, Chuck-D

Pelath, Scott-D

Pierce, Matt-D

Porter, Gregory-D

Pryor, Cherirsh-D

Shackleford, Robin-D

Summers, Vanessa-D

Taylor, Joe-D

Wright, Melanie-D

             


                                








Sunday, February 12, 2017

Should Hoosier Republicans Form a Third Party?

Should real Hoosier republicans form a third party? That's a question that is being asked of us a lot these days. With there being no discernible differences between the two major parties in Indiana. At least in the area of good government. It is a question that most if not all serious conservative/libertarian republicans must ask ourselves. It's certainly a tempting thought to declare the party of Bill Hudnut and Rex Early dead and buried and walk away to create a new party one dedicated to individual liberty and freedom. But for reasons we will elaborate on. We here at IR have come to believe that starting a new political party would be ultimately counterproductive. Before we get to why we are not in favor of forming a new political party in Indiana. We wanted to provide some new information about the Indiana GOP's plans to hike the states gas tax. On January 25th, 2017 the Indianapolis Business Journal ran a story entitled "GOP lawmakers draw criticism for calling tax hikes 'user fees'" the same day a bill to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees for Indiana passed through the House Roads and Transportation Committee according to a story on WISH-TV's website. With the obvious abandonment of fiscal responsibility by Governor Eric Holcomb, Rep. Ed Soliday, State House Speaker Brian Bosma, and the Marion County GOP Leaderships pushing for higher taxes, along with the gutting of the State Board of Accounts. It understandably makes us ask "Why are these people Republicans?" The only answer we can come up with is they are Republicans merely out of convenience rather than ideology. The only core conviction that Daniels, Holcomb, Bosma and McQuillen hold is they believe they are entitled to serve in public office. Recently we reported about Christine Scales decision to leave the Republican Party to become a Democrat. We here at IR cannot speak for Mrs. Scales. But in our minds we cannot help but think that if the Marion County and Indiana Republican Party had a few more people like Christine Scales and fewer apparatchiks like Mike McQuillen she might have stayed.

Alright now to why despite the temptation to do so. We here at IR would oppose Hoosier Republicans bolting the GOP and forming or joining a new political party. One of the biggest reasons is the immense difficulty inherent in attempting to win an office as an independent or third party candidate. Take a look at the case of former Republican Congressman Ron Paul who ran for President on the Libertarian Party line. He did not earn a single electoral vote when he ran in 1988. However when he returned to congress as a Republican in the mid 90's and then twice ran for the GOP presidential nomination he did much better. Congressman Paul has generated far more interest and attention for his ideas as a republican than he ever did as a libertarian. As a difficult as it is to reform a political party. It can only be done by changing the parties office holders and structure. After all why should a political party be open to any change if the activists who seek it all walk out? Lastly one issue that has not been brought up much is: Are third parties any better run than the two dominant political parties? Many a disgruntled republican in Indiana has left to join the Libertarian Party. Many have left the LP because in this state at least the Indiana Libertarian Party is just a social club that likes to play games with both parties. For an alternative political party they spend time kissing up to people like Democratic State Rep. Ed Delaney and pseudo republican and former Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle. We feel that the State and National Republican Parties have a heritage that is to beautiful to surrender to the Daniels, Holcomb's, Oesterles, and Ballards! We believe as President Reagan did that what our state and nation needs is not a third party but a revived and vibrant second party!

Thursday, February 2, 2017

RINO Jim Merritt seeks to be Marion County GOP Chairman another reason why the Marion County GOP is Screwed!

It seems that the Marion County Republican Establishment has learned nothing from losing their greatest officeholder Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales! Word is out that Democratic Republican State Senator Jim Merritt has decided he is the cure for what ails the Marion County GOP. So he has decided to bestow upon them his great gifts be seeking to be their next chairman. Today's issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal has an article about Merritt's run for County Chairman:


State Sen. Jim Merritt is throwing his hat into the ring to become chairman of the Marion County Republican Party.
Merritt told IBJ that he “holds the party pretty close to my heart” and said his focus issues in the state Legislature—including poverty, hunger and addiction—are “ideally suited for Marion County and the urban Republican model.”
“If we don’t reach out to those addicted to drugs, those who are hungry, those who have vacant homes on their block, we are not doing our duty,” Merritt said. “I think the GOP should stand for community.”
Others are also expected to seek the leadership spot. A new chairman will be selected March 4 as part of the Marion County Republican Central Committee reorganization process.


IR has does not yet at this time have any information about any other candidates running for the chairman's position. Merritt may have ambitions beyond just being the new county chairman the article continues:


Many Republicans insiders believed that Merritt would run against Democrat Joe Hogsett, in the mayor's race in 2015, but he did not enter the GOP primary. The Republican candidate, businessman Chuck Brewer, ended up losing to Hogsett.
Democrats currently control the City-County Council, with 14 seats compared to Republicans’ 11 seats. Republican council member Christine Scales defected to become a Democrat this week.
Merritt, who represents portions of Marion and Hamilton counties as a state senator, said he believes "Republicans can win in Marion County with good organization.”


“We’re going to work on the grassroots,” Merritt said. “We’re going to work on raising money and working on communications and messaging. I think I can provide the leadership."
Merritt is seeking to replace Council Minority Leader Mike McQuillen, who led the party on a temporary basis until announcing he would step down this week.
"I believe that there is much work to do in my role as minority leader of the City-County Council, working with our Republican councillors to move the needle on thoughtful policy, hold the mayor accountable to the people, and prepare for 2019,” McQuillen said in a statement.
Asked if Merritt would be interested in running against Hogsett in 2019, he said he is focused on “reviving the party.”
“We’re not going to win the mayor’s office if we don’t have a strong party,” Merritt told IBJ.
Merritt said he counts on others running for the seat and that he will be working on a “full-throated plan of what I plan on doing in leading the party.”


A few thought come to mind. For one when Merritt says he is going to "work on the grassroots". We are all scratching our heads trying to figure out if there is any grass where this man walks. It is also beyond laughable the idea that Merritt could beat Hogsett in 2019! He is correct when he states that they will not win the mayor's office without a strong party. Merritt however does not have the intelligence, drive or leadership to rebuild the Marion County Republican Party. Writing on his blog a few years back the late, great Gary Welsh had this to say about Jim Merritt:


Readers should know a couple of things about Merritt. He is behind the cabal of good ole boys who drafted Tim Craft to move into Councilor Christine Scales' new third district and run against her in the Republican primary next year. He approved of the same council Republicans who never asked Lincoln Plowman to resign or leave the caucus after being indicted for taking a bribe from an undercover FBI agent booting Scales from the Republican caucus because of her conservative and independent streak. Former Chief of Staff Ryan Vaughn liked to copy Merritt on e-mails deriding Scales for putting her constituents ahead of their petty politics. Merritt would reply approvingly to Vaughn's cutting e-mails of Scales. Secondly, Merritt lobbied hard for the bone-headed decision to locate the Regional Operations Center at Alex Carroll's Eastgate Mall property despite the legitimate misgivings former Public Safety Director Frank Straub had with using that location. Know the man before you jump to support him.


All of us have only this to say. If the above mentioned facts by Gary Welsh about Merritt are any indication of his style of leadership. Then the hell with it! We will have no part of his faux brand of Republicanism!


For further reading:
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2014/11/star-claims-exclusive-on-ballard-not.html

Marion County GOP pushes Christine Scales away




Christine Scales




Yesterday Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales announced on Facebook that she was leaving the Republican Party to become a Democrat. We here at IR have for many years supported Christine Scales and we all will continue to do so regardless of her party switch. We previously have mentioned the inept leadership of the Marion County Republican Party under former Mayor "Boss Greg" Ballard and current fellow RINO Traitor Mike McQuillen. Although we here are all very sorry that Councilor Scales has left the Grand Old Party. We certainly can sympathize with her decision to leave. She was treated abysmally by the apparatchiks that pass themselves off as republicans when real republicans like Paul Ogden, Christine Scales and the late great Gary Welsh are treated as pariahs for holding the parties officials accountable. As for ourselves we all have been Republicans for many decades. We will agitate for reform until we leave this world. The Republican Party of Marion County and of Indiana is not and has not been worthy of laying claim to the historic conservative and libertarian principles of the GOP for many years. There have been some positive developments such as the ousting of former US Senator Dick "Carpetbagger" Lugar in 2012 and the refusal of former Mayor Greg Ballard to run for a third term in 2015. But there is still a long way to go to reclaiming the Grand Old Party in the Hoosier state. As we have pointed out the state house republicans wish to raise our state gas tax, and continue to fund projects of dubious value such as the previously mentioned bicentennial projects that were started by former Governor and now Vice President Mike Pence. Along with shielding our state legislators emails from we the people. Former Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and now current Governor Eric Holcomb have all ran on making state government more transparent but have increased the secrecy surrounding government immensely. Former Governor Pence went as far as to push to keep his emails a secret and so far Eric Holcomb has shown no willingness to rollback previous administrations secrecy. If newly elected State GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer so desires he can order a long needed overhaul of the Marion County Republican Party structure. Until the State Republican Party returns to its historic roots of limited government, opposing pay-to-play schemes, obeying the rule of law, and not blindly following ever yahoo that runs with an R after their name they will continue their deserved decline! If it must come to the point where the State GOP is reduced to rubble. So be it. All us true republicans will be there to rebuild and reclaim our parties heritage. Godspeed Christine Scales! And to all our fellow brothers and sisters in arms! In the words of the savior: "Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:1 also remember "Blessed are you who are persecuted for righteousness sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Paul Ogden of Ogden on Politics fame and our colleague on the left and still the undisputed king of Indiana Democratic Bloggers Jon Easter have both written about Christine Scales Party switch. The links to their pieces are below:



Republican Indianapolis City Councilor becomes a Democrat:
http://www.ogdenonpolitics.com/2017/02/local-indianapolis-republican-councilor.html



Jon Easters post on Christine Scales party switch: