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What's going on around town?
Town Hall Meeting from 7-9pm at the Lansing Community Center
Republican Women's Luncheon from 11:30am - 1pm at the Riverfront Community Center
June 22
Hope for America's monthly meeting from 7-9pm at the Antioch branch of the Johnson County Public Library
Kansans for Life monthly meeting from 7-9pm at the Church of Christ on 10th Avenue in Leavenworth, KS
July 5
Town Hall Meeting from 7-9pm at the Lansing Community Center
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Check Your Voting Status at:
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Election Calendar for 2010
June 10 Noon Deadline for cadidates to file and/or withdraw
June 19 Begin mailing Federal Service absentee ballots
July 14 Begin mailing advance voting ballots & advance voting in office
July 19 Last day to regster to vote or to change party affiliation
August 2 Noon Deadline for independent candidates to file petitions and to vote advance votion ballots in person in the County Election Office
August 3 Primary Election
August 4 Voter Registration books reopen
August 6 County Canvass to certify election results
September 18 Begin mailing Federal Service absentee ballots
October 13 Begin mailing advance voting ballots & advance voting in office
October 18 Last day to register to vote
November 1 Noon deadline to vote advance voting ballots in person in the County Election Office
November 2 General Election
November 3 Voter Registration books reopen
November 5 County Canvass to certify election results |
Offices to be Elected in 2010
US Senator
US Representative
Governor / Lt. Governor
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Insurance Commssioner
State Representative:
39th District
40th District
41st District
42nd District
State Board of Education, 1st District
Leavenworth County Commissioner, 1st District
All Township Clerks
Lan-Del Water Board - Elect 3
All Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen |
Putting out
Political Signs
Election fever is upon us and we all want to do our part by putting our yard signs and banners. Each city has different rules for the dates signs can be put out and when they must be removed. The following is a listing by city/municipality:
Leavenworth County: 6 weeks prior to the campaign season/election date (confusing? Yes).
City of Basehor: 30 days prior to the election
City of Bonner Springs: 4 weeks prior to the election
City of Easton: No restrictions
City of Lansing: 4 weeks prior to the election
City of Leavenworth: 6 weeks prior to the election
City of Tonganoxie: 30 days prior to the election |
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Comments from the Chairman
Our annual "Picnic in the Park" was a great success with well over 200 people in attendance. Many of our Kansas elected officials and candidates were present. In attendance were U.S Representatives Jerry Moran, Todd Tiahrt, Lynn Jenkins; at the state level we had Sen. Dennis Pyle who is a candidate for the 2d Congressional position, Sen. Derrick Schmidt who is running for the State Attorney General; Kris Kobach, Elizabeth Ensley, both candidates for Secretary of State; David Powell, who is running for State Insurance Commissioner. We had all of our representatives and candidates for 40th (Sandra Bohne), 41st (Jana Goodman) and 42d (Rep. Connie O'Brien) Districts, and our County Commissioner candidate (J.C. Tellefson).
Because of our very close proximity to the 3rd Congressional District, we invited their candidates to join with us at the picnic. Five candidates were present who are running for the 3rd Congressional seat currently held by Rep Dennis Moore. Many other candidates attended as well who are running for state representative seats in the 3rd District area.
Our food was outstanding, as were all the speeches, making it a great event and a fun time for all.
Now, with less than 60 days until the Primary, we must get serious and do all we can to support our candidates and those running for re-election. There are many ways one can support. You may contribute financially (campaigns do cost money), you may volunteer your efforts to help by walking door to door, passing out information, or by helping with mailings and phone calls. If you are unsure how you can best help, ask any candidate - they will let you know what they need.
The next six months will likely be the most intense and exciting time in many of our lives. What we do, or do not do, in the effort to win this election and make significant changes, will affect our lives and the lives of our children for many years to come.
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Comments by the Kansas Speaker of the House
by: Rep. Mike O'Neal
My local news reporter asked me to comment on what I thought was the most remarkable thing about the (last legislative) session. My response is below:
What was remarkable about this session was the Governor's State of the State message, which asked Kansans not to "give up", and then proceeded to admit defeat by calling for a 1 cent (18.87%) increase in the state's sales tax, even though we were in the waning months of a long recession. The Governor claimed that we had cut all we could and that a tax was the only option. That request was met by universal disapproval by the Legislature, particularly Democrats, whose historic supporters are those most affected by the very regressive sales tax. Early attempts to debate taxes during the session were met with either votes against sales tax increases or outright delay in considering ANY tax increase.
The House Appropriations Committee passed out a budget that balanced without a tax increase and included additional funds for schools. A companion bill was passed out that provided schools with flexibility to tap their unencumbered reserves to allow them to spend at last year's levels without reductions. No tax increase was required to fund schools. On the opening day of the wrap-up session, in a meeting with Gov. Parkinson, he acknowledged that we could balance the budget this year without a tax increase. In fact he claimed that there were at least a half dozen ways it could be done, but he felt a tax increase was the best solution and would veto any budget that did not include his proposal to increase state spending and call for a tax increase to fund it.
With that veto threat, and an unprecedented amount of arm-twisting of Democrat lawmakers to support a tax they hated, Gov. Parkinson was successful in getting sufficient votes to pass a budget that spends more than $200M more next year than this year and a tax increase that raises around $300M to fund it. What is remarkable is that legislators who swore they would not vote for a tax increase, ended up doing just that. (43 of 49 House Democrats ended up voting for the tax increase) Some Democrats I spoke to commented on the incredible amount of pressure they were under to buckle to the Governor's call to support his tax increase, including threats that support for them in the upcoming elections would not be there if they didn't come on-board.
The Highway plan was also the subject of intense lobbying, including Sec. Miller herself on the House floor, who lobbied not only for the highway plan but the increase in the sales tax. When the tax bill passed, some who had concerns about the highway bill ended up voting for the plan because the funding had been approved. They worried that if they didn't, their "No" vote might be held against their districts when road money and projects were later handed out.
All across the country voters are sending a strong message that they don't like the direction the country is headed and they are concerned about their increasing tax burden. I suspect that there will be more interest in the upcoming state elections than before and more candidates will file. Elected officials who support "spending as usual" and another round of tax increases may be in for a big surprise in November, or even August. |
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Action Items for Political Involvement
1. Encourage everyone you know to get involved by first being informed. Listen and Read. Suggestions are major newspapers, news magazines, talk radio, conservative blogs and web-sites.
2. Consider your friends as potential candidates. When you know someone who would be a good candidate, encourage them to run. Remember local offices: county & city committees, school board, commissioners, etc. Consider running for office.
3. Know your facts. Be ready to spot a red herring (an irrelevant point may seem to prove the point, but really does not) and bring the discussion back to the facts.
4. Learn about basic free market economics vs. centrally controlled economics. Look for opportunities to explain these to others.
5. Read our history. Know the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, & the Federalist Papers.
6. Send fact filled letters to editors. Forget snappy, nasty comments. Defeat with facts.
7. Get to know your state representatives; they are often more open to listening to views and facts.
8. Keep track of pending State and Federal legislation. Be sure to let your legislator know your views on various bills.
9. Contribute your time, energy & money to good candidates. Volunteer to work phone banks or neighborhoods; host a meet/greet party at your home.
10. Work your circle of influence and get those friends to work their circle of influence.
11. Learn how to run, or help run voter registration drives.
12. If you personally know of corruption at any level(Local, State, Federal) make it public.
13. Once the primaries are over, rally behind the candidate closest to your beliefs. Vote your conscience. But remember a third party vote usually helps elect a liberal.
14. Talk to candidates. Explain your views and that you will hold them accountable. If they run as a conservative and do not vote that way, they will lose your support.
15. VOTE!!! Hold yourself and your circle of friends accountable. There are no excuses for not exercising your privilege to vote! |
What are the rules?
from: Clifford A. Wright
....for every nimrod who thinks they are entitled to health care at others' expense... I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning, seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill.
I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick." The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don't deserve all of that money." Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate."
At this, I'd had enough.
I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table.
"Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?" They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. "I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding "H*** Yeah" fills the room.
"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you." They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man." I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate offer." They gaped at me for a moment.
"H***, I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh h*** yeah! Where do I sign up?" I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction." I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. "Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.
"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.
"Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement." Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people. "You can shove that stupid deal up you're a** old man, I want no part of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young man. "You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am now your Master." At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent. "What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the nature of your new health care legislation."
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was
surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you Sir, these kids don't understand Liberty these days." He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab." I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.
Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get to Godly conduct. |
The 'peaceful' Jihad in America
by: Andrew C. McCarthy
Most Americans don't realize that jihad is about much more than terrorism.
Even the terrorists don't blow up buildings for the sake of blowing up buildings. There is method in their madness.
Jihad is not mindless mass-murder, nor is it a syrupy "internal struggle to become a better person." No, jihad is the mission to establish and spread sharia.
The installation of Allah's law, believed by Muslims to be a divine injunction, is the necessary precondition to the creation of Islamic societies. While it can, and often is, waged forcibly, Islamists don't resort to violence (or, at least, to more violence) where surrenders, appeasements and capitulations are available.
And al Qaeda is merely an offshoot of the central Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, or Hizb al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin. Founded in 1928, the Ikhwan's motto to this day remains, "Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Koran is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."
In 1991, Mohamed Akram, a US-based chieftain of the Brotherhood, penned a memo for the eyes of the central leadership in Egypt. Later seized by the FBI, this self-described "Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America" outlined the game-plan for what the organization regards as its "civilizational" war against the West:
"The Ikhwan must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions."
Nor was there anything new about this "grand jihad." During a post-9/11 raid, Swiss authorities found a similar smoking gun -- a methodical plan for the long-term "cultural invasion" of the West -- written by Brotherhood theorists in 1982.
As a matter of fact, this sabotage strategy has been in place for nearly half a century. Its bottom-up elements stress Islamist domination of Muslim education, mosques and community centers. From these bases of operation in every city, the Brotherhood's method is not terrorize but to slipstream behind Islamist terrorists, assuming the posture of "moderates."
The goal is to seep sharia -- Islam's totalitarian legal code that governs not just the spiritual realm but all aspects of life -- into our politics, law, financial system, educational institutions, labor negotiations, familial relations, and all facets of our domestic and foreign policy, from health care to engagement with Iran.
Yes, 31 years after the Iranian revolution, 17 years after Islamists declared war on the United States by bombing the World Trade Center and nine years after the 9/11 atrocities, the American people are still in the dark about the daunting challenge we face. Under jihadist siege for decades, we still don't even get what jihad is and why it isn't just about "violent extremists" -- the politically correct term now used by government officials in their desperation to bleach the Islam out of Islamist terror.
Two years ago, I wrote about this ethos of conscious avoidance in "Willful Blindness." But that was a memoir about trying to confront international terrorism as a federal prosecutor in the 1990s. The forces arrayed against us are much more extensive and insidious than al Qaeda, and they are not just pressing the limitations of our criminal-justice system.
The game-plan being executed against us targets American constitutional democracy itself, taking aim at its core principles of individual liberty.
Lavishly backed by Saudi billions thanks to a decades-old partnership with the kingdom, the Brotherhood is now raising, in our midst, its third generation of operatives and sympathizers. Its tentacles include such high-profile organizations as the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Islamic Society of North America and the Muslim American Society (the Brotherhood's semi-official American branch).
Our opinion elites are only too happy to take at face value the claims of these groups to be "moderate." Indeed, our government, media and academies are reluctant to discuss Islam honestly, let alone Islamist ideology.
And effectively allied with the jihadists is the hard left across the West. For all their differences (e.g., on abortion and the rights of women and homosexuals) Islam and the Left are in essential harmony when it comes to their vision of authoritarian government and their perception of the immediate obstacle to their designs: American constitutional democracy.
What the global Islamist project is doing, and how, are the subjects of my new book, "The Grand Jihad: How Islam and the Left Sabotage America," published last week. It is the story of the ideology that not only fuels anti-American terror but stokes a sedulous jihadist campaign to Islamicize our society -- not without firing a shot, but by capitalizing on the shots that have already been fired.
A grand jihad is hell-bent on sabotaging America. We ignore it at our peril.
Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute.
NEW YORK POST is a registered trademark of NYP Holdings, Inc.
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Putting Things in Perspective
"We the People" is the mantra of the people.
The Party Platform is the voice of the Party in action.
Politicians are instruments to be used to effect policy and change.
An Anonymous Observation
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of
entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
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Leavenworth County Republican Party Leadership
First District
James C. Tellefson.................913-651-3853
Second District & Board Chair
Clyde Graeber......................913-682-4514
Third District
John C. Flower.....................913-634-0061
State Representatives
Kansas House of Representatives, 39th District
Kansas House of Representatives, 42nd District
National Representatives
US House of Representatives
US Senate
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