Richetelli & Candidates Hijack Veterans Day Speeches!

Had a great day with the Veterans at the Parade. Loved everything about this Veterans Day except the Political Parties who name Dropped prior to this Tuesdays Vote. Was also not too keen on the Sophomoric speeches where our local leaders each complimented themselves and reminded us how great a job they all did and how wonderful our community is. Hard not to notice that our leaders have no clue on what to say to people in a Triple Dip Recession... its too funny... it all has to always be good never can it be the way it really is... no connection to reality. It's kind of sad.

Anyhow, this years Veterans Day was kind of surprising, I did not expect to hear so many politicians talk. In previous years, and in other towns, several local veterans took to the podium and told us many inspiring and heartfelt stories about their personal experiences during and after times of war. Hearing Veterans speak during Veterans day is one of the best ways we can appreciate them, more of us have to hear what they have to say and share with us their stories of courage, inspiration and survival.

The worst part of this Veterans day was that most of the people who took center stage in the Milford gazebo never enlisted or fought in a war. Someone grumbled attention was low, if I had to guess why its because I think people are sick and tired of our local kleptocratic politicians hijacking and dominating every public event. The last person I wanted to hear speak this Veterans Day was Jim Richetelli, our candidates for office, and their praise for their "chicken hawk" teams! "

Democrats Steal Elections, Voter Fraud Exposed

It is no secret that Bridgeport was ill prepared for the 2010 vote. What happened was a surprise to many including Mayor Finch who said "Bridgeport can't be remembered as the dimpled chad of elections."

An independent reporting agency asked the Democratic voter registrar what happened and they declined to comment, however the Republican registrar of voters in Bridgeport exposes criminal, civil and blatantly obvious election fraud. All of Acorns activities, a Government sponsored agency, were reported to the Democratic Secretary of State Suzan Byczewitz to investigate.

Some are clamoring that election fraud in Bridgeport was so pervasive, and yet advantageous to the Democratic party in Connecticut that the FBI should open a RICO investigation on ACORN for criminal activity.

What makes Bridgeport's voting so unusual is that the entire country favored Republicans this year, except Connecticut whose entire state and federal elections were thrown in favor of the Democrats. Watch the below video and perhaps we can gain perspective on why protests are the new focal point in Bridgeport.

Milford Daily Blog Makes The News Over Probate Campaign

Orange Probate Judge John Carengelo, a Republican, is criticizing his opponent for featuring a blogger’s comment on her campaign website that apparently questions his integrity.

Carengelo said he is appalled his opponent, Milford Probate Judge Beverly Streit-Kefalas, a Democrat, would allow comments from Milford Independent Committee Chairman Rocco Frank to be placed on her website. Carengelo and Streit-Kefalas, both 12-year incumbents, are running against one another because the probate courts in Orange and Milford are being consolidated.

Frank, who is an Independent Party state representative candidate, wrote that “As a judge, (Streit-Kefalas) also recognized that any Republican Party judge under the direction of the demanding (Milford Mayor James L.) Richetelli administration would likely become an “activist judge” who the mayor and its party leadership favors in exchange for the campaign money and influence given him. This would impair and impede his ability to be independent and impartial to the public.”

Read Entire NH Register story by clicking HERE


By Brian McCready, Milford Bureau Chief
bmccready@newhavenregister.com

Milford's Citizens Hit With Huge Tax Increase More Foreclosures Expected

Conservatism in government appears to be dead as Milford citizens are hit with a Republican tax increase that outpaces the rate of normal inflation and the more appropriate measure the CPI or Consumer Price Index.

The difference from the normal CPI increase for the entire North East is a 3% gain in goods and services for 2010. The largest increase emerging from transportation costs or a 14% increase in a single area.

The nuances of each category are arbitrary and besides the point. What matters is that the new Property Tax rate represents a 3.5% increase compared to the CPI of 3.0% for our region the NE. Milford is growing its local government at a rate that is apx. 18% above normal, hardly conservative by any measure.

The areas that I found to clearly exemplify reckless spending this year, were excessive legal costs to defend illegal actions by city employees, over payment on office supplies where in some cases the city paid as much as $1,400.00 for two desk chairs. $100,000.00 of thousands wasted on reports that were un-necessary like the KRIT report, and those studies done at Eisenhower Park.

More waste was achieved when the the Tax Collector outsourced its business tax collection paying a commission of over $100,000.00. More waste again in creating new expensive government posts I.E. the Land Use Czar, Blight Czar, etc.. Waste on raises, bonuses, stipends, silly travel expenses etc. etc. etc.

Well sit back and smile and say again to your friends that you do not discuss politics, say that to Mrs. Garcia of 55 Earle St. who committed suicide during the holidays last year. Yes that is right, Mrs. Garcia was a good person, who spent many years in Milford. When the foreclosure notice came, and then the State Marshall, she killed herself!

There must be some kindred spirit, compassion or loyalty for the taxpayers of Milford. There must be some restraint on the part of the greed and avarice of some select city employees who show such unmerciful selfishness.

Those are the city employees who would rather see the less fortunate and protected city employees let go before foregoing their contractual legal right to a wage increase. But none are guiltier than those who knowingly and carelessly "rip off" the city taxpayers.

The time is now upon all of us to take responsibility for the plight of the citizenry in our community. The time is now to question the wrongs of these new excessive tax increases on those who can least afford them.

Today the Milford Mirror has come out as it does every week. Take notice of those homes that were sold for $1.00. That is correct $1.00! That Dollar represents the shattered dreams of about Two or Three families each week. Families who have lost their home to a foreclosure. Who will be their voice and why are they always forgotten?

Some may have deservedly fallen victim to perhaps slovenly laziness, avarice, or some other terrible attribute a person could have. However, there are others who do their best to stay in their homes, work two jobs, sacrifice their time with their family or worse yet cannot find a job. There are some who are widowed, have medical issues, disabilities or may be going through a divorce.

The city offers no empathy, no due regard, no help or anything useful to people who deserve a "hand up" during these "Great Recessionary" times. All the city cares about is getting their stupid "TAX MONEY."

Today I have a message to the wolves who all but guaranteed and accelerated the plight of these victimized individuals. A message that should resonate and rest at their home this evening. A message where I say to them (whoever you are), in your warm dry home. Put down your fork and walk away from that wonderful steak dinner. Open your blinds and look to your most disadvantaged neighbor and see them as many saw Mrs. Garcia. Ask yourself if you honestly believe that you did all you can do so that the next foreclosure suicide does not rest on your conscience.

How does Milford's leaders plan to help those who are not at fault for this tax increase? Tax increases that are part of an ongoing systemic leadership failure that according to departed RTC Member Tom Byrne has resulted in the city taxing its citizens upward from 98M to over 170M this year. A tax increase in a year where the "grand list" by some miracle was able to grow.

Should taxes continue to recklessly rise in the manner they are doing, eventually the city will contend with the Land Lord tenant relationship that once existed during the period of Medieval Feudalism. Property values shall become arbitrary, only second to the very taxes that are forcibly levied upon them. It shall be little more than a citizen reminder of the money due a powerful landlord who really owns the land. Is this where we are headed?

The people have been duped once again by the "big lie" of "Neo-Conservatism." The same kind that got them the raises they need to pay their own property tax increase but you left out to find it on your own.

Milfords Schools In A Leadership Crisis

The New Republican dominated board of education is being sworn in today, and their first day on the job will be a nightmare. The crisis in leadership however is nothing new to some legacy board members who expunged the last Milford Superintendent in a similar swarm of controversy.

Harvey Polanski our Current Milford School Superintendent who won high and lavish praises from our mayor Jim Richetelli is now mired in a second wave of controversy. This time the Richetelli favorite is accused of lewd and lascivious acts toward two female Principals who made the allegations against our superintendent.

This is the second time this year that Mr. Polanski found himself in the news, for those who may have forgot last August he was investigated along with Republican Board of Education member Joanne Rhorig.

Rhorig resigned from the Board of Education after a firestorm of controversy occurred surrounding her household and numerous allegations of illegal activity. Charges were made that Polanski attended a party where known sexual predators lived, and underage drinking was ongoing in his presence.

Harvey Polanski is currently put on administrative leave. This occurred after an emergency closed door session of the Board of Education voted on an emergency response to the two principals allegations.

According to local sources an outside investigative agency will be hired at an undisclosed sum of taxpayer money. The investigators are expected to conduct a fact finding inquiry into the allegations made by the two Milford principals.

The Milford School System, will temporarily be under the direction of Michael Cummings the Assistant Superintendent. Larry Schaeffer previously took the post once before after our former Superintendent of Schools Gregory A. Firn "exercised poor judgment" and undermined confidence in his leadership by his handling of a situation involving a coach accused of sexual assault.

The board said "Firn's actions regarding a letter of recommendation for former coach Robert Dulin would be considered in the Superintendent's contract negotiations in June." Firn later Resigned of his own recognisance.

This years case may be much more egregious and prove to be an even poorer choice of a candidate for Milford's top paying job should these allegations be proven true. Aggregate factors already overshadowing our current Superintendents administration has also been the terrible results of the CAPT test scores, a test vital to the graduation of Milford's High School students.

The Republican dominated administration holds a majority on every board in the city of Milford except the Planning and Zoning board of which they hold an even stake. The rebuilding of our schools leadership will be at the helm of the incoming administration.

Most onlookers in the know, however, have been less than impressed with the Richetelli record on education of which now includes the towns second Superintendent being mired in troubles, failing CAPT test scores, standing room protests over 180 teachers having their employment threatened, objections over the Jonathan the Law additions, and controversy over media aides being let go and then rehired.

Milford's Barbara Lambert At Work

When a national website with Millions of hits picks up our Milfor Rep. Barbara Lambert we know the City made a huge mistake. Thank God for the Independent Party because as I recall Mayor Bloomberg "Fired" a government employee for this very same behavior. What is wrong with our local leaders?

See the link below for the Infowars shame post on CT.

Click HERE for full story

Mayoral Candidates Address Downtown Challenges

Two mayoral hopefuls in recent weeks had their eyes on downtown Milford, offering suggestions about how to address a dangerous sidewalk and excessive pigeon droppings.

Peter Spalthoff, the Independent Party candidate, said he planned to fix what he described as a dangerous lip in a sidewalk near his Broad Street office himself because the situation has not been addressed.

Spalthoff said several people have fallen because of about an inch rise between two five-by-six-foot concrete pads that make up the sidewalk.

“I’m gong to have it taken care of so no one else falls,” Spalthoff said, explaining that his builder plans to give him a price on digging up and replacing one of the pads.

Spalthoff, whose Shoreline Mortgage office faces Broad Street, said he recently saw an older woman fall. And Ed Esposito, who was walking down the sidewalk last week with his dog, said he’s tripped on the lip three times.

He said he called the city about the problem, but according to Public Works Director Bruce Kolwicz, it’s the property owner’s job to keep the sidewalk in a safe condition.

In some situations, sidewalk repairs fall to the city, but in this case, it falls to property owner Joseph Voll.

“I talked to Joseph Voll,” Kolwicz said. “I told him he had to fix it, and he said, ‘No problem,’” Kolwicz said.

At the same time, petition candidate Tim Chaucer, a Democrat, said he called the city’s health department about excessive pigeon droppings on a sidewalk area just beyond that lip.

“Why is it that in the heart of downtown Milford, i.e. on the sidewalk in front of Harrison’s Hardware, we have an ongoing pigeon poop and feather health hazard,” Chaucer stated in a letter to the local papers.

“Pigeons sit in an area between the gutter and canopy of the building,” he wrote. “Has the owner been notified by the health department? The Heberts have been complaining about this for many months. The health department could notify the owner that this is a health hazard and insist the canopy be removed and even the gutter where the pigeons sit.”

Chaucer also expressed concern about the lip in the sidewalk and suggested the city correct the problem.

Jill Dion Original Story

Milford's Joe Di Canero Upset With Fowler And RTC

Unbelievable! Milford GOP leader Jack Fowler sure has got some nerve. In his letter to the editor published June 25 he is furious at Rocco Frank for even mentioning Mayor Jim Richetelli's Milford taxpayer funded pension, the one he will get if he wins the upcoming election. He raves like a mad man who's trying to protect his last chicken from an inquisitive fox.

Fowler gets all bent out of shape, choking on a fur ball of anger, all because someone mentions the pension. You know, the pension Mayor Richetelli will get at aged 50 whether he is sitting at the beach sipping an iced tea or happens to get another high paying senior position, most likely within the GOP. A pension that will be paid for by all of us here in Milford, whether we have a job or are being
crushed by the current economic circumstances and the ridiculously high property taxes. You know, the pension he will get despite the consequences of the economic hole he is digging for us right now, so regardless of how good or bad his legacy is we'll just keep paying it like good little sheep. You know which pension I'm referring to. I'm sure you do.

But you can't stop Fowler. He is a man of passion. Of telling it the way it is. A man of principle.

Strange, then, was his and RTC Chairman Tom Jagodzinski's silence concerning my letter about the internal rot that is devouring the Milford GOP. Maybe they hope that if they bury their head in the sand it will just go away. Or by attacking Rocco Frank it will distract us from this greater issue facing our party. The issue of irrelevance.

Both Fowler and Jagodzinski know I am speaking the truth, and the accuracy of my letter left them both dumbfounded. The email Jagodzinski circulated within the party concerning my letter soon after its publication proves it. Jagodzinski effectively stated to everyone in the GOP that 'all is good, don't read the letter, don't panic, we are financially ok'.

What have finances got to do with the slow death and growing irrelevance of the Milford GOP?

Why have Collins, Munk, Marshall, Spalthoff and numerous other former GOP leaders abandoned the party if everything is so fantastic? Why are so many senior figures in the GOP so sick of you, Jagodzinski, Mayor Jimmy and all your inner-circle buddies doing self-serving deals, that they not only left the party but are now actively campaigning against the GOP to get rid of all of you before the party dies?

Why not get upset about this Fowler, something that should concern you more than Jimmy's pension? Or has Jimmy taken another mysterious 6 hiatus and so is not able to address this issue on his own?

It saddens me, really saddens me to see the party I love, yes love, being left in the hands of these morticians that are waiting for its final breath. Maybe Fowler and his friends should stop worrying about Spalthoff, Rocco Frank and the Milford Independent Party and start worrying about our Milford GOP. Even better, maybe they could do us a favor and leave the GOP, and go join the Democrats to suck the life out of their party instead.

Joe Di Canenero

Spalthoff Challenges Mayor's Commitment To Jonathan Law's Students

Mayor Richetelli’s sense of priorities and judgment continue to frustrate and confound me. I spent July 6Th at the Milford Aldermanic meeting along with other fellow tax payers. We were all there to speak up in favor of moving forward with the existing plan and proposed bonding for completing important and long needed renovations on Jonathan Law High School. This is a project that was previously approved and committed to by the Mayor. To date, tens of thousands of dollars have been spent. I, along with other Milford taxpayers at the meeting, spoke out in favor of completing the project, and adamantly objected to leaving important renovations to this school unfinished at a time when our community needs the investment most.

The contractor has decreased the project’s cost by nearly 25%, which will, if we move forward, save the City almost $750,000.00. In addition, the current interest rate on the bonds are likely lower now than they will be in the future, and completing the project now would most certainly bring a larger reimbursement from the State as a high priority infrastructure project. But, all the numbers and logical arguments aside, Mayor Richetelli made a commitment to the citizens of Milford, and to the students and faculty at Jonathan Law. A commitment that he is now not ready to follow up on.

Sure, these are difficult economic times-and some projects, even important ones, will have to go on the back burner. But just a few days after the Aldermanic meeting, the Mayor got word from Governor Rell that she was standing by her commitment to the Silver Sands boardwalk project. Ironically, Governor Rell noted that “the State should honor its promise to extend the boardwalk. “Not surprisingly, Mayor Richetelli agreed with her, calling her decision “wise” because construction costs are low and significant money has already been spent. Sound familiar?

Fortunately, by the end of the July 6th meeting, the Aldermen did pass the resolution to raise the bond money and finish the Jonathan Law renovations-despite the five republicans voting against it, and Mayor Richetelli’s personal recommendation to vote against it as well.

The most confusing and frustrating part of Mayor Richetelli’s inconsistent opinions is that it would appear our Mayor is more strongly in support of extending a boardwalk than investing in our schools. This, my friends, is completely unacceptable.

I do want to thank Governor Rell for standing by her commitments to Milford's infrastructure projects, and to the Aldermen who made thoughtful and logical judgments in favor of the Jonathan Law bonding proposal. And, an extra-special thank you to all of you who took time out of your day to make your voices heard at the Aldermanic meeting. It is largely your voices that moved the project forward and gained the Aldermen’s support.

Peter L. Spalthoff

Independent Party Candidate for Mayor 2009

Soon After Opposing Law Construction, Richetelli And Lambert Condemn Boardwalk Cancellation

Just a few short days ago I was at city hall fighting for the Jonathan law expansion with Peter Spalthoff, and the city Alderman agreed with us that education is important. The Alderman Voted in favor of the Bonding and the kids of Milford scored a small victory.

This Boardwalk story today is a parody of this subject, and in lieu of those events has brought me a smile with some great irony. The irony here is that Lambert was absent at the Jonathan Law Meeting, she made no known comment on the school cutbacks, while Richetelli said the city is struggling and this is not the "right time" to be spending money on fixing up our schools.

Jonathan Law's Principal along with a platoon of concerned citizens asked for our kids to have proper facilities built including one Law student who said the condition of the restrooms are of grave concern and somewhat of a "joke" with the student body.

Still yet these important issues, (and after a few short days) are long forgotten, because Lambert and Richetelli would rather ignore the issue of Jonathan Law students being educated on carts, and "fly" down to the beach to demand our financially strapped state build Milford a giant Boardwalk.

Lambert has been heavily favored by the elderly here in town, as she herself is a volunteer and a senior at the Milford senior center. It is no secret that seniors in Milford are Anti-Education as they have made their voices heard loud and clear during the last tax increase. Lambert also received much needed support from seniors and has done little to push for a world class school system here in Milford. Lambert appears to support much of what seniors want.

While I must sit back in awe, as I watch this politically motivated beach spectacle take place, I must also stand dumbfounded that our leaders actually believe the state is going to build us a boardwalk ahead of fixing this states health care fiasco.

Rell already vetoed two bills, and CT has a 9 Billion Dollar Budget gap that is growing every day. One really has to wonder if our Lambert and Richetelli have any basis in reality on this boardwalk issue. While they both enjoyed some free press, I must sadly say... "Sorry Ms. Lambert and Mr. Richetelli if we cant afford schools, than it stands to reason that Milford cant afford a luxurious boardwalk."

READ MORE AT THE MIRROR

RELATED POST

Alan Jepson Retiring From City Clerk

There is no greater icon in town than our beloved city clerk Alan Jepson. For most of his life Jepson served the town of Milford in various offices, including the duty of our Mayor.

Jepsons retirement marks an end to over Twenty years of service as Milford's City Clerk. These memories are none the less fonder around this time of year, because on the 4Th of July Alan would dress the part of Uncle Sam at out town celebration and greet residents at the gazebo on the green. For the first time in many years the man under the beard and hat will be someone else, as Alan will not be doing it again.

Alan is at the age where he is ready for retirement, but those in the Independent Party here in Milford have stated that Jepsons retirement has also brought some challenges for those individuals who are seeking to replace him.

The job of City Clerk will be passed on, and some popular names are emerging as contenders for the post. The Democrats are expected to put up Currently Serving State Rep. Richard Roy. Roy, who has not formally announced he will retire from the the House if elected Clerk, has the option of holding both jobs. This will allow Roy to earn a salary estimated at $130,000.00 per year. This of course, also comes with benefits from the state as well as the city of Milford. This would make a Roy win a very lucrative proposition.

According to the Democrats, the position of City Clerk is "Settled" and they are expecting no Republican contender, this they indicated on their blog is the "tradition." Of course the blog post has been removed as of today, but none the less the allegation now stands and no known Republican contender exists yet.

The Independent Party in Milford, is questioning the the practice of "Cross Endorsements" and the practice of "holding multiple elected offices." Should someone like Dick Roy run for, and succeed in his bid for City Clerk the people of Milford could be denied the exclusivity of that office, instead sharing Mr. Roy with the state legislature if he fails to resign. The Independent Contender for City Clerk Michael Konopka has indicated he will give the people of Millford "110% of his attention," hence meeting the expectations of the job and the needs of the public.

This Democratic practice of "double dipping" was seen once before when Gubernatorial contender Jim Amann attempted to take a $120,000.00 job as the new CT House Speaker Donovan's assistant. This job was to be accomplished in tandem with his private sector job working as a fund raiser for a Charity and Running for Governor with the funds (3 Million Dollars) he expects to receive from a CEP grant.

Even though the city of Milford will miss our endeared City Clerk Alan Jepson, the voters need to be vigilant against the shenanigans of party politics here in town. The public pays the City Clerk very well for a reason. That reason has more to do with the fact that it is a full time job that demands a great deal of time and responsibility.

That responsibility also includes attending Board of Alderman meetings as Jepson did very well. Placing a person in this office, who also holds the job of a State Representative will surely find conflicts in his ability to attend the aldermanic meetings. This will also limit the amount of time he can spend at his desk in the Clerks office. The Clerk needs to be available to personally sign important documents, and this should be noted when discussion as to the individual candidates career choices arises and the condoning of absenteeism. They need not be the problem of Milford's Taxpayers.

Photo from Milford Rotary Website

Democrats Allege Cross Endorsements From Republicans

The following quote was published at the Milford Democrats website the issue comes up time and again in relation to "cross endorsements." We know a few short years ago the Republicans gave a DE-FACTO cross endorsement of Amann when they ran no one against him. We also know Milford Republicans and Democrats make deals with each other around election time. The Independent Party points these facts out all too well and the quotation below just proves yet again that there is a false "left-right" paradigm here in Milford.

Quoted Text

"The Milford Democratic Party will convene it's Convention at the glorious gold-domed City Hall to vote in the slate for this year's Municipal elections. Some incumbents, some new faces, all great Dems!

The 2009 campaign encompasses candidates for Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Board and City Clerk. Traditionally, the position of City Clerk is cross-endorsed by the Republican Party, so that's settled.

All are welcome to join us at the Convention, although only Town Committee members will be permitted to vote."

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

Update 7/7/09 From The Milford RTC Website

Republicans Will Not Cross-Endorse Kim Rose for City Clerk

"Milford Republicans will not be cross endorsing this year’s Democratic candidate for City Clerk. During the last few elections, Republicans did cross-endorse Alan Jepson but Mr. Jepson was a unique individual who had an outstanding record serving the city of Milford for many years and had conducted the affairs of his office in a truly non-partisan fashion. Republicans did what they felt was best for the city.

It appears that there are two possible Democratic candidates for City Clerk. No one has ever accused Kim Rose of being non-partisan and Dick Roy seems to view the office as a way to supplement his state pension. Mr. Roy may deserve thanks for his years of service in the state assembly but not a $71,443 a year golden parachute."

Milford Democrats Bash Richetelli

The Milford Democratic website appears to have more in common with a public "Rant" site targeting our mayor. While in no way to I attest to be for or against Richetelli I do find it odd that the Democrats are so focused on destroying our mayor rather than working with his administration to navigate these trying times.

Their focus appears to be directed at dethroning Richetelli and implementing their own character who undoubtedly will yield similar criticism (as all politicians inevitably do.) It is safe to say that criticism is just a hazard of the job, but be warned that the Democratic party in Milford is deceptive (They never criticize themselves).

Case in point, they have yet to denounce Obama's energy plan that would cause your electric bill to skyrocket. They instead campaigned on the premise that they somehow represent condemnation of UI. The duplicity and double talk became clear when the opportunity came to speak out. The DPUC offered public hearings, Milford's leadership was invited and yet not one single person from our town, besides myself and some members of the Independent party was in attendance.

The point here is not to institute a blame game, call Democrats Communists, and Republicans Fascists but rather allude to the fact that there are way too many stones being thrown in our glass house at the moment. Democrats and their blog need to stop bashing, and begin instituting workable solutions that engage teamwork with our mayor.

These issues certainly can be aired during campaign season when Richetelli is up for election again, but until then their efforts should be directed in using their current elected representatives in town to put their "money where their mouth is" not just point fingers and create the type of animosity that builds the very disdain and division that they do.

This is their website offering the excess accumulation of immature rants against our mayor, whom during his personal crisis they alleged to support. Yet now, in an act of brazen and cowardly hypocrisy "trash" him. Truly distasteful and despicable.

www.milforddemocrats.com

Obama's energy plan calling for electric rates to spike. Most Milford Democrats support Obama's energy plan just ask them.

REPUBLICANS: Where do they go from here??

by Mike Vecchiarelli

Now that history’s been made with the victory of President-elect Barack Obama, we can start looking to the future, optimistically waiting for the change Obama has promised the world. The Democratic majority in Congress is also hard at work preparing for Obama’s inauguration. However, in the days after the election, Obama and Democrats are not the only ones making changes. Republicans are as well. If you’ve followed the news at all this week, you know that the Republican Party is attempting to regroup after its crushing defeat at the hands of the Democrats.

Clearly, Republicans need to respond to their lopsided loss of the presidency, but the problems they face run party deep, as they also need to address staggering majorities in both House and Senate, and their loss of what seems like countless national, state and local seats in this year’s election. And, like with all things new or revamped, the first thing Republicans are trying to strengthen is their image, rather than their core. Priority one is looking for a new face to symbolize the leadership of a revitalized Republican Party. As Republicans distance themselves farther and farther away from George W. Bush, they are attempting to create this new image with fresher politicians like Gov. Sarah Palin, or retired Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell. But, is this the right strategy?

Although, I believe Sarah Palin will have a future in Entertainment (and maybe, but hopefully not politics), she has proven herself to be somewhat of a pariah for the Republican Party. And, as experienced and capable as Colin Powell is, he did throw all his support behind Barack Obama. So, where does the Republican Party find its new leadership? Perhaps they should look towards ideology, as well as brand awareness. As crazy as it sounds to the casual political follower, and to the dismay of the mainstream media, the Republican’s best shot is to look towards someone with revolutionary ideas. They should look towards Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

Whether you love him, hate him, or are asking yourself right now who he is, those who automatically dismiss Paul truly don’t know the man. The cynicism his name generates is more a Pavlovian response or lack of education rather than genuine opposition to his stance on issues. If most voters took the time to listen to Paul’s ideas, most would probably be surprised at how much they agree with the man. It is said that, to hear Ron Paul is to want to support him, the problem is the mainstream media doesn’t cover him, so you don’t hear him. Granted, you probably won’t agree with every single thing the man says, but is there a person that you agree 100% with on every issue? I hope not. Personally, I can’t deny that in trying to get back to the roots of the U.S. Constitution, Ron Paul is indeed a revolutionary thinker.

The problem is, if following the U.S. Constitution is revolutionary thinking, then the citizens of this country need to step back and look at how we have gotten to this point. And if the way this country is run is so far from what the framers of the Constitution originally intended, I’m not sure if anyone, Ron Paul included, can change the direction in which we’re headed.

Our system of government has become so corrupted by politicians and their corporate masters, that discouraged Americans no longer learn enough about government to differentiate how it runs and how its suppose to run. Americans assume that we have a two-party system, with differing views, and we’re supposed to vote for the lesser of the two evils that best represents our interests. From the get go, this is a defeatist mentality. Choosing the lesser of two evils is still not a good choice.

The problem with this system is that neither party puts the interests of the American people first. In this age in which we are living, corporate America, banking interests and political action committees run the show, by pulling the strings of most politicians, Obama included. It’s just a shame that we get our news from either Fox News Channel or CNN, both networks whose CEO’s and major shareholders have vested interests, which are represented by one party or the other. You don’t really think President-elect Obama is going to make his own Middle East foreign policy, do you?

The system is flawed and it needs to be changed. The problem is the two-party system is designed to maintain the status quo. Neither party is who they claim to be. On the one hand, is the Republican Party, who is supposedly the party of small government and lower spending. But how can you have a government of low spending and wish to carry out war after war? Especially one in which our budget surplus has been spent into oblivion and we have taken loans from every nation that would allow us to.

To all the Republicans reading this: The Republican leaders in the US are not real Republicans. They are extreme right wing evangelic neo-conservatives, posing as traditional Reagan Republicans. The root word of Republican is republic, as in America was established as a republic by the founding fathers. Every day we say “I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands,” but do we slow down enough to consider the word. A Republic is a nation in which the supreme power rests in its body of citizens, an ideal state according to Plato. Democracy is a tool of the Republic, not what the republic is or could become or what should be spread to the rest of the world. We have lost sight of this, and so have our elected leaders. The only true Republican figure whose values serve to preserve our American Republic and uphold our Constitution and Bill of Rights is Congressman Ron Paul. The unfortunate thing is that his message is suppressed even within the Republican party because he’s not with the agreed upon and established agenda, as it was established by the liberals, conservatives, corporations and their propaganda machines (the corporate mainstream media).

The most important issue for most Americans right now is the economy. As Ron Paul says, to bring about real change that can benefit the U.S. economy, look no further than the Federal Reserve System. The government has the ability to create currency and regulate the value of money, but instead chooses to outsource this critical power to a private corporation – the Federal Reserve, which is about as federal as Federal Express. But the Federal Reserve does not simply give the government money, they create it out of thin air (backed by nothing mind you, certainly not gold or silver) and than the Fed loans it AT INTEREST to the US government. This creates a system of endless debt, one that can never be paid off. Why never? Well, the amount of money in circulation is the amount the Fed created. The amount owed by the government to the Fed is the amount they created plus interest. So, from the beginning, there is more money owed than there is in existence. Huh!?!

So, how do we begin to pay a loan that can never possibly be paid in full? Well, naturally, like any predatory loan, you start with the interest. This interest is paid off using the Federal Income Tax on Individuals like you and me, Joe Taxpayer – 100% of what is collected to be precise. The Fed chairman and members are not elected by anyone, they are simply appointed like monarchs. In other words, it is ultimate nepotism, people known and chosen by each other, with minimal superficial input from the President. They hold meetings in secret to discuss the future of America, and are no longer obligated to disclose the minutes of those meetings. Shouldn't government be transparent?

Yes, your federal income tax goes straight to paying off the debt on government loans. It does not go to roads, schools, highways, the military, social security or Medicare or anything else you think it might go to. Those programs are either paid for directly as a separate tax on your income or paid for by gas taxes, tolls, property taxes, state sales tax, business entity taxes and corporate income taxes. What is certain is they do not come from your federal income tax, which forcibly removes 30% (on average) of your hard earned salary or wages from your pocket. But don’t stop paying those taxes. In fact, you better hope you pay those taxes on time (which are unconstitutional since it is a direct tax that isn’t apportioned back to the states) because if you don’t pay your federal income tax, the IRS will come, and they make mob bosses look like fairy godmothers.

Yes, this is the true America we live in. While people are stuck calling certain politicians communists or jingoist, they don’t realize that the very candidate they support is even more corrupt. We get so passionate without truly understanding the essence of what we’re getting so passionate over. Our government needs to be redesigned to best work for us, the working class. It needs to be fair. I don’t think Ron Paul is necessarily the answer, but I think American people are, and his ideas address the root problem, the cause not the symptoms. Americans no longer question authority or even expect accountability by their elected officials, and that needs to change. Ron Paul’s ideas are certainly the best out there amongst the Republican Party. If they’re looking for a new direction and a new face, his would give them their best shot.

But our current model of American democratic capitalism is failing us. One percent of the population is making more than 25 percent of all the money made in this country. Things don’t seem to be trickling down like we heard they would from the Democrats. This is the land of opportunity. I don’t want to be handed anything, certainly not the benefits of just a trickle from the richest 1 percent. I want opportunity, a fair chance to make it on my own, without the government’s hands in my pockets. Why does the fed need to keep printing money (Well, it’s not even printed anymore, it’s just a number in a computer that is manipulated up and up and up)? If all the existing money is still out there, then where did it go? Where is all this money they create, that none of us seem to have? Where is the $750 billion they created that was used to nationalize private industry, I mean the money used to bail out corporate industries?

Somebody has all of the money and it’s not the individuals loosing their homes, jobs and retirements; it is banking institutions and private bankers and the corporations they deem worthy to succeed and they’re just going to keep getting more, until they own us all. The system is flawed, and we need to stop educating ourselves through the mainstream media and start to follow the money trail. Things don’t seem right in America because they aren’t. It doesn’t start with the government, it starts with us asking questions and demanding truth! How much are we willing to take? Are we mad enough yet? Are we going to keep taking these blatant affronts to our lives, liberties, and pursuits of happiness? The last time 1 percent of the population made this much more money than the rest was in 1928 when desperate citizens worldwide began turning towards opportunistic national leaders, and we all know what happened after that . . . A Great Depression, and an ensuing World War. How long will we stand by and allow history to repeat itself?

Meet The Candidates Of The 118th In MIlford

THE INDEPENDENTS

Have put forth Rocco J Frank Jr. (Fairfield University Alumni, CSE Post Grad) See post below this one for the official press release and party endorsement.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FRANK'S OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


THE REPUBLICANS

"Nanci Seltzer has been endorsed for the office of State Representative for the 118Th District. A former member of the Milford Planning and Zoning Board, she chaired a subcommittee that focused on ways to preserve buildings of historical and architectural interest. She is a member of the Milford Zoning Board of Appeals. A community leader, she is active in Devon Revitalization and a member of the Walnut Beach Association. She started and is currently chair for Devon Day and Devon Summer Events. She is the chair of the Milford Anti-Hate Task Force. She is a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant who works primarily with senior citizens. She has received the Milford Council on Aging’s Community Spirit Award. Nanci has also worked in schools with special needs children and has received the Occupational Therapist of the Year from the Connecticut Coalition for Inclusive Education. She has an associates degree in Allied Sciences from Briarwood College."

One other special note is that Nancy has cross supported Friends of Joe Lieberman with a $500.00 donation on 11/1/06.

THE DEMOCRATS

Last night the Milford Democrats, held their convention at the Senior Center and announced Barbara Lambert, the 2Nd. District alderwoman as their candidate for the 118Th. Lambert, reading from cue cards, gave a speech to a group of local Democrats. At this time there is not much more known about Ms. Lambert other than to say that she is possibly 60 or 70 years old been married for 40 years and has served in the local town government. The Democrats have not issued an official press release yet, but one is expected to arrive in the upcoming local news papers.

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Update on Lamberts positions: (According to her 8" X 5" card.)

*Condemned United Illuminating for reopening its rate case.
*Demanded budget responsibility and accountability.
*Worked on and advocated senior tax relief and advocated "common sense" spending.

Experience:

*Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, Wife.
*Senior Center Volunteer.
*St. Ann's Parish volunteer.
*Bethel Shelter volunteer.
*Softball Coach Milford Rec.
*Girl Scout Leader.
*Democrat, Alderman-Milford BOA
*Former Local 134 URW VP