Immigration and America, Back To Our Roots

For some reason, people have difficulty structuring their arguments when arguing against supporting the currently proposed immigration revisions.. This lady made the argument pretty simple. NOT printed in the Orange County Paper................... 
  
  
  
From: "David LaBonte"  

My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to "print" it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so inclined. Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register: 
  
Dear Editor:  

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry. 
  
Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. 
  
They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. 
  
Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan . They were defending the United States of America as one people. 
  
When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl. 
  
And here we are with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country.. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags. 
  
And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet. 
  
(signed) Rosemary LaBonte 
  
KEEP THIS LETTER MOVING. FOR THE WRONG THINGS TO PREVAIL THE RIGHTFUL MAJORITY NEEDS TO REMAIN COMPLACENT AND QUIET!!      LET THIS NEVER HAPPEN!! 

  
I sincerely hope this letter gets read by millions of people all across the nation!!

Plans Launched For Naval Aviation Milestone

Plans for Navy aviation centennial begin to take off

By Jeanette Steele

CORONADO — It was January 1911, and what’s now North Island Naval Air Station was still separated from the mainland by water. The first naval aviator reported to San Diego to learn how to fly.


Nearly a century later, the Navy is planning a marathon celebration of its flight roots starting in January. The Naval Air Forces command, with headquarters at North Island, has formed a centennial task force, activated a reserve captain to coordinate the events and dedicated five service members to the effort.

 The 100th anniversary of Marine Corps aviation is in 2012, and the Coast Guard’s is in 2016. Both services will begin celebrating with the Navy because pilots for all three branches get their wings from the same flight school in Pensacola, Fla.

Read more here.

Lisbon Falls Residents Participate in 3rd annual National PrayerFlight‏

The picture taken over the State House also shows the tent in Capital Park where the annual "on the ground" Capital National Day of Prayer event was taking place at the time of the PrayerFlight. 
(Photo by Bethany Douglass)

Maine Pilot participates in the third National Day of Prayer PrayerFlight


Jerry Douglass, owner of Brunswick business, The Modular Advantage, piloted his private plane over Maine’s capital City of Augusta, last week in the third annual “50 Capitals” PrayerFlight.  On board and praying for our Capital City and the State of Maine were Pastor Steve DeGroft & Associate Pastor Jonathan Jones of Lisbon Falls Baptist Church, Richard Garrett, Lisbon Falls resident, and Bethany Douglass of Temple.

The "50 Capitals" PrayerFlight was first organized and flown in 2008 when approximately 75 pilots from every state in the nation made history through a coordinated effort to pray over every capital city in the United States from private aircraft in observance of the annual National Day of Prayer.

Pictured in front of the plane are (left to right) Associate Pastor Jonathan Jones, Lisbon Falls Baptist Church, Brunswick business owner and pilot and Lisbon Falls resident, Jerry Douglass, and Richard Garrett, Lisbon Falls resident.  (Photo by Bethany Douglass)

For more information contact:

Kathy Todd

State Coordinator, Maine National Day of Prayer Task Force

kathleenatodd@gmail.com

729-8403

Since I was cut short in reading my letter

Since I was cut short in reading my letter publicly, I will ask that you please post for the public to read.  I was allowed to be accused of making incorrect statements, accused of being negative, etc at the last public hearing by a town councilor.  I thought it was only fair that I be allowed to respectfully respond.  

I attempted to read my below letter/statement which was within my 3 minutes established by chairperson, Councilor Bowie, but instead I was cut short and told it had nothing to do with the budget.  I beg to differ.  It has to do with the budget and the process that is supposed to allow the public an open forum to come and openly discuss and ask questions regarding the budget.  I guess I would now ask that the public decide for themselves.


Lisbon Town Councilors:

For months you have proclaimed to not hear from the public or at best on a limited basis.  The April 27th public hearing was that, a public hearing.  This is supposed to give the public an opportunity to come and speak, ask questions, pose to you their thoughts and opinions.  This was not the time for the town council to attack the public and make accusatory statements that were incorrect at best.

I did not stand up and make negative comments as Councilor Mason accused me of doing.  I posed questions and inquired about the need of a current full time position that at present does not seem to be needed based on the current “volunteer” type of work and activity.  It is disappointing that Councilor Mason made remarks and implied that since I was not a business owner that I wouldn’t understand what Economic Development was.  I am guessing that I am not the only one who takes offense to that comment or the implication that the other 9300 voting residents in our town wouldn’t understand Economic Development unless they owned a business.  I think at times the town council or at least a few councilors in particular sell the knowledge of our towns residents short - we are smarter and brighter than you think or give us credit for.

Councilor Mason was attacking, argumentative, negative in tone and made incorrect statements in defense of an inquiry, question and citizens opinion expressed about Economic Development.  The statements about our Economic Development director overseeing the Thanksgiving Dinner was that, overseeing it, I DID NOT imply she was using town money to fund or pay for it. 

But just so the facts are correct, technically the towns people are paying for the coordination of it in part since our tax dollars partially help pay for the Economic Development Directors salary less matching funds through grants, etc.  This dinner used to be totally coordinated through volunteers. There is volunteer coordination for dinners, festivals, etc being overseen by this position that used to be overseen in total through volunteers.  This in itself suggests there is not enough Economic Development work at present to fill a 40 hour work week.  

Yes, the flags in memoriam are important, my husband is a vet and my brother is an active officer in the US Army so yes, I do support our veterans, but should this be overseen by our Economic Development Director?  What does this have to do directly with economic development? 

You wonder why citizens do not come out and speak?  The way the town council responds to the citizens has a lot to do with that.

A lot of people in town have taken on the philosophy “why come, why say anything, they are going to do what they want anyway!”

I feel some of the recommendations made to the Town Council by the Budget Advisory board in regards to the re-evaluation should be given more consideration.  For several months I was told by a few councilors that I should support the reassessment.  I was told that my taxes should go down.  I was told that our funds for tree growth would increase and homestead exemptions should go up.  

Why are you then removing this from the budget only to do a small part of it this year, the land only re-evaluation, laying off 30 teachers and school employees only to yet have our taxes go up?  Just doesn’t make sense to me that we are missing out on so much.  Why are we taking monies out of undesignated funds and raising taxes?  Robbing Peter to pay Paul has never worked. 

If the town council wants to have a better understanding of why people do not come to or participate in meetings or even email or call their councilors, please look in the mirror. 

Have you always been respectful and courteous to the citizens who you sit in your chair and represent?  If every councilor can answer yes to that, then I guess Lisbon has no issues.

  If you can't as a councilor answer that with a yes but a no, then maybe you should think over the last year or two as to what could be done better and where change should occur. 

If you don’t, the citizens may do it for you come November or sooner.

A very disappointed citizen,
Michelle Turmelle

Public Budget Meeting‏ Tonight

Town  officials, Town Council, Town Manager Steve Eldridge, all say, "no one
comes to public hearings". "Why go back to town meetings when no one comes
to public hearings".  Wonder why?, There has been nothing in the Lewiston
Sun Journal about a Public Hearing on the school and town budget.

 Wondering why there had not been any notice or article in the Times Record, I called 
and e-mailed our local correspondent on Monday. No one from town Office had
called her! At my urging, she called town office to get the scoop, and by 
magic, today, Wednesday, the day of the hearing a nice article on page A3. "Lisbon
officials seek input on proposed budget for 2010-11"! No thanks to Town 
Office.

With so much going on they must have forgotten about publicity.
A notice on the revolving sign at the Town Office, maybe once every 7 or 8 
minutes, and a stationary one at the High School, on the School Budget!

That's really getting the word out! ?
 
Attend a public budget meeting;  ask a question or make a comment on a 
sensitive subject and get yelled at, put down, by a member of the Town Council.

At a Public Budget hearing we get to see and listen to Town Manager Eldridge 
give his presentation. We get to see and listen to Superintendent Richard Green 
give his presentation. The public can than ask questions. Mr. Green will answer 
questions.

On the Town side, some are answered, some not. No vote is taken. the public
can ask questions but cannot vote! It's business as usual. Minds have 
already been made up.
 
Town Meeting; the budget is gone through, article by article. Each article 
is discussed, questions are asked, and for the most part, answered. Each 
article is voted on, BY THE PUBLIC! AMAZING HOW IS WORKS! And voted
on by 200 or more taxpayers. This is democracy in it's best and purest form.

And that is why some DO NOT WANT to go back to town meeting form of government 

in the Town of Lisbon!

Dot Fitzgerald
A Taxpayer, and
A Concerned Lisbon citizen

Subject: Joe and Jose

Subject: Joe and Jose  

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families Have two parents, two children, and live in California ... 

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted. 

 Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, And gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table". 

  Ready? Now pay attention... 

Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 Per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00. 

Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00. 

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for His family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now Has $24,031.00. 

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and Local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00. 

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or Welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per Year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00. 

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps And welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00. 

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00. 

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal Still has $ 31,200.00. 

 

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal Now has $7,231.00. 

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00. 

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc. 

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month. 

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work. 

 

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family. 

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after School ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home. 

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, But Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay. 

 

Do you get it, now? 

 

If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens... 

YOU are part of the problem! 

It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans! 

 

BUT, IT'S NOT TOO LATE YET! 

  SO, PASS THIS ALONG.

Here Is An 'Unfiltered' Presentation Of Just What the Gulf Oil Disaster Looks Like

Video is from Alabama resident John Wathen as a volunteer pilot flew him over the area where the oil rig sank. Officials have stopped guessing at the amount of oil leaking although some speculate it may be closer to 1 million gallons per day.
Don't let BP spin this into something trivial.
"It's not a leak, it's a volcano spewing oil"

 

 

So You Want To Speak at a Public Meeting

Then Speak with Conviction and put some wind on your vocal chords so people can hear you.

Lisbon High Prom‏

High school staff (l-r) Barbara Grinder, Sally Darling, Monica Millhime and Lorraine Bard

 

 

 

Assisting Alex Corey as he arrived for the event are (pictured l-r) Barbara Grinder, Corey, Monica Millhime and Lorraine Bard

Lisbon – On Saturday, May 8 Lisbon students held their prom at Lost Valley in Auburn from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. .  High school staff  Barbara Grinder, Sally Darling, Monica Millhime and Lorraine Bard; (not pictured) Jo-Ann Brunelle, along with senior class advisor, Rebecca Belmore, School Resource Officer, Renee Bernard, and Lisbon volunteer, Jim Millhime, served as chaperones.   Photos courtesy of Muriel Michaud.

*****News Flash***** Come Listen to Lisbon Police Harass.....Tonight

LISBON — Lisbon parents and families are invited to attend a free parent presentation at Philip W. Sugg Middle School in Lisbon today.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the school library and is sponsored by Lisbon Police Department and the PWS Parent Action Group.

Guest speakers Detective Bernard McAllister of the Lisbon Police Department and Assistant District Attorney Deb Cashman will address issues and legal aspects surrounding text messaging, cell phone use and other areas of harassment.

Lisbon FREE Movie Night

*****Reminder***** Public Budget Meeting Tuesday 7pm LCS

Click here to view School Budget


Lisbon 2010-2011 Budget Presentation

For Town Budget Summary Sheet as presented at April 27, 2010 Public Meeting click here.

At Least Another $350K to be used from Lisbon's Reserve Fund to Balance Budget.  Now that is being fiscally responsible.  AND/OR a Tax Rate Increase.   Take your pick Lisbon it's coming.

Now Taking Applications for the worst road in Maine

What’s the worst road in Maine?

• Facebook contest to identify worst road in Maine draws more than 1,000 fans
  
• More photos/video entries needed before $250 car repair prize awarded
  

What’s the worst road you’ve seen and do you have a photo or video of it? FixMaineRoads.org (or facebook.com/FixMaineRoads) wants to know.

The social media campaign spearheaded by the Maine Better Transportation Association is offering a prize to the best “bad road” photo or video in Maine. If you have a story to tell about a flat tire, destroyed struts or busted rims, even better. Drivers who enter a photo or video and tell their story could win a $250 gift certificate for car repair. ($250 happens to be the amount a recent study by U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups, says Mainers pay in extra vehicle repair costs of tires and shock absorbers that are worn out and destroyed by rough and uneven roads.)

“Bad roads are a major concern for Mainers, and that shows by how fast our fan base has grown over the past few weeks,” said Maria Fuentes, MBTA executive director. The topic of bad roads has clearly hit a nerve for many in Maine. Fuentes said that some stretches of road – such as Routes 1 and 191 in Washington County, River Road in Windham and Route 115 in Gray – have earned multiple nominations.

Still, Fuentes says, the contest is wide open because so few drivers have yet to enter photos or videos of their nominated roads. “We have two weeks left in the contest and that, we hope, is plenty of time to get people to start submitting their photos . . .We need to see the evidence of why the road is so bad.”

“We’ve even had people nominate all of the roads in their towns,” said Fuentes. “Our state, in fact, has some of the worst roads and bridges in the region: 26 percent of our federal-aid highways have poor pavement. That’s up from just 5 percent poor pavement in the 1990s.”

The contest will continue until the middle of May. MBTA hopes to award the $250 repair prize to one lucky driver submitting a photo or video and description of “The Worst Road in Maine.” MBTA also will award honorable mentions to two runners up.

MBTA has set up a web page (FixMaineRoads.org), an e-mail address (FixMaineRoads@mbtaonline.org) and a page on the social networking site Facebook (www.facebook.com/FixMaineRoads) where Mainers can get contest information and send their photos and stories about “The Worst Road in Maine.”

For more information, visit FixMaineRoads.org

Don't you think this is just 'hankering' for a Local Flavored photo journalistic reporting kind of story that grabs 'yah' right in the middle of your tickle ribs?

Let us know!  Find us on Facebook. The Lisbon Reporter

Stay Tuned 

Federal Deconfliction It happens locally also

Happy Monday!

Redneck hedge trimmer
 
 
 
I can't make stuff up that's better than this!
 

Alabama Judge

Alabama
Judge

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote.

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama. Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! 

The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America? the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,


Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee..
~~Judge Roy Moore~~

This says it all. May we all forward this message and offer our prayers for Judge Moore to be blessed and for America to wake up and realize what we need to do to keep OUR?  America the Beautiful.

Pass this on and let's lift Judge Moore up in Prayer. He has stood firm and needs our support.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Maxine's Yearly Dementia Test

Our Yearly Dementia Test  It's that time of year for us to take our annual senior citizen test. Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, it's important to keep mentally alert. If you don't use it, you lose it! Below is a very private way to gauge how your memory  compares to the last test. Some may think it is too easy but the ones with memory problems may have difficulty.  Take the test presented here to determine if you're losing it or not. The spaces below are so you don't see the answers until you've made your answer.    OK, relax, clear your mind and begin.       1. What do you put in a toaster?          Answer: 'bread.' If you said 'toast' give up now and do something else.. Try not to hurt yourself.    If you said, bread, go to Question 2.

2.   Say 'silk' five times. Now spell 'silk.' What do cows drink? 

 

 

Answer: Cows drink water. If you said 'milk,' don't attempt the next question. Your brain is over-stressed and may even overheat. Content yourself with reading a more appropriate literature such as Auto World.

However, if you said 'water', proceed to question 3. 

 

3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from? 

 

Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass.  If you said 'green bricks,' why are you still reading these???
If you said 'glass,' go on to Question 4. 



 

 

4.   It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany ).  Anyway, during the flight, two engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of 'no man's land' between East Germany and West Germany ... Where would you bury the survivors?    East Germany , West Germany , 

Or no man's land'? 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer: You don't bury survivors.
If you said ANYTHING else, you're a dunce and you must stop. If you said, 'You don't bury survivors', proceed to the next question. 



 

5. Without using a  calculator - You are driving a bus from London to 

Milford Haven in Wales ..   In London , 17 people get on the bus.
In Reading , 6 people get off the bus and 9 people get on.
In   Swindon, 2 people get off and 4 get on.
In Cardiff , 11 people get off and 16 people get on.
In Swansea , 3 people get off and 5 people get on.
In Carmathen, 6 people get off and 3 get on.
You then arrive at Milford Haven   ...  

Without scrolling back to review, how old is the bus driver?

 

 

Answer: Oh, for crying out loud!
Don't you remember your own age? 

   It was YOU driving the bus!! 

 

If you pass this along to your friends, pray they do better than you. 

PS: 95% of people fail most of the questions!! 

Happy Mother's Day!

New Republican Platform‏

To:       Chair of the Republican State Convention
Subject:       Proposed amendment to the platform as put forward by the committee.
Submitted by:       Knox County Republican Committee.

Amendment: The proposed platform shall be omitted and a replacement platform adopted as follows.

Preamble:

In the course of a nation's history, it is natural that political philosophies will evolve which run
contrary to the original principles evident at the time of that nation's founding. A nation founded in tyranny will by its nature spawn sentiment in direct opposition to that tyranny. Conversely, a nation which is dedicated to protecting the rights of its people, and seeks to bind the excesses of power which naturally accrue to governments, is subject to the evolution of factions which strive to throw off those shackles of restraint and gather power and influence over the people. Freedom is not a pre-existing condition into which everyone is delivered. Freedom and personal liberty are conditions of existence which are hard fought for and once won, must be maintained. Each generation must be taught anew the importance of eternal vigilance against those who would disregard the limits imposed on government, and usurp powers not granted to them by the people.

Today this state and the nation are in crisis precisely because we as a people have failed to
maintain that vigilance. We have failed to pass down from one generation to another the critical knowledge and lessons that history provides. We have let rot from within, the foundation upon which freedom and prosperity must be built for it to survive.

This election cycle is unique in the history of both this state and our nation. We are
presented with a situation in which WE THE PEOPLE, must re-educate ourselves and our
neighbors, and put the knowledge of liberty to work in the elections this November. Years of
neglect have allowed factions detrimental to the core principles of this nation, to entrench
themselves in both political parties, and undermine the education of Constitutional principles vital to the survival of the republic.

The Tea Party movement is reminiscent of the principled revolt that led to the birth of
the Republican Party in 1854. In June of that year, Horace Greeley referred to the newly
formed Republicans as " ... united to restore the Union to its true mission of champion and
promulgator of Liberty ... ". This year it is incumbent upon those Republicans who strive to
protect and defend our Constitution, to reclaim that heritage.

It is within this context that We, the citizens of Maine united by free association as
Republicans, dedicated to seeing the principles which brought forth the birth and ascendance of this State and these United States once again made dominant and pledge our unwavering allegiance, not to a political party, but to the Constitution of the State of Maine and the Constitution of the United States of America. The Republican Party is the vehicle through which we seek to better unify and promote those in pursuit of these goals.

The principles upon which the Republican Party was founded, to which we as
Citizens seek return, and l to which we demand our elected representatives abide, are
summarized as follows:

1. The Constitutions, both State and Federal, are the framework to which any and all
legislation must adhere.

2. State sovereignty must be regained and retained on all issues specifically relegated to the States by the constitution.

3. National sovereignty shall be preserved and retained as dominant over any
attempted unconstitutional usurpations of such by international treaty.

4. It is the responsibility and duty, of "We the People", to educate both ourselves and others; to demand honest elections free of corruption, and to hold our elected officials to the highest standards of honesty, integrity and loyalty to the constitution. 

 In pursuit of these principles we endorse and shall promote the following initiatives.

I. To Form a More perfect Union

a. All legislation must adhere to the restrictions outlined in the Constitution to protect the individual from intrusive government.

b. Direct the State of Maine to join with other states in asserting our 10th amendment sovereignty rights which protect us from unconstitutional federal government intrusions.

c. Insist on strict adherence to our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms.

d. Pass a "Read the Bill" act, to insure clarity, and eliminate the corruption associated with side issues, earmarks, pork or riders.

e. Oppose "Localism and Diversity", the Fairness Doctrine or whatever else such
attempted restrictions are labeled. Any restriction on speech is by definition
NOT free speech.

f. Reject the Employee free -choice Elimination- act, as an unconscionable affront to the right to a secret vote.

g. Restore integrity to the electoral process:

 

 i. Prohibit any public funding of advocacy groups such as ACORN, no matter what it or    its affiliate organizations rename themselves; New York Communities for Change, New England United for Justice etc.; Conduct thorough investigation of their activities arid voter fraud and prosecute violations.

ii. Eliminate motor voter and other voter fraud mechanisms; institute secure voter registration and identification systems. 

iii. Reject any effort to give foreign citizens the right to vote in the US in any situation or capacity.

h. Oppose any and all treaties with the UN or any other organization or country which surrenders US sovereignty. Specifically:

i. reject the UN Treaty on Rights of the Child.
ii. Reject "LOST" the Law Of The Sea Treaty.
iii. Reject any agreement which seeks to confiscate our firearms.

I. Restore the process of assimilation of immigrants to preserve the benefits of an advanced
educated and prosperous society. Rescind Maine's sanctuary State status. No amnesty, no
benefits, no citizenship -ever- for anyone in the country illegally. Arrest and detain, for a
specified period of time, anyone here illegally, and then deport, period.

J. Pass a Congressional reform act which includes the following provisions:

i. Term Limits:   12 years only, in any capacity.

2. Two Six year Senate terms
3. Six Two year House terms
4. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms

ii. No Pension 

iii. Congress participates in Social Security under the same rules as the general public. 

iv. Congress can no longer vote themselves a pay raise. 

v. Congress participates in the same health care plan as the general public. No
preferential plans or treatment. 

vi. Congress is subject to and must abide by all the laws they impose on the general public.

II. To Establish Justice:

a. Restore "Constitutional law" as the basis for the Judiciary. 

b. Reassert the principle that "Freedom of Religion" does not mean "freedom from religion".

III. To Insure Domestic tranquility:

a. Promote family values.

i. Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman. 

ii. Parents, not government, are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children, whether disciplinary, educational, or medical. 

iii. We recognize the sanctity of life, which includes the unborn.

IV. To Provide for the Common Defense:

a. Discard political correctness, make public the declaration of war (Jihad), made against the US on 23 Feb 1998, and fight the war against the United States by radical Islam to win. 

b. Seal the border and protect US citizens along the border and everywhere, as is the prime directive of the Federal Government.

V. To Promote the General Welfare

 

a. Return to the principles of Austrian Economics, and redirect the economy back to one of incentives to save and invest. 

b. Cut spending, balance the budget, and institute a plan for paying down debt. Proclaim that generational debt shifting is immoral and unconscionable and will not be tolerated! 

c. Pass and implement Fed billlt1207 (Introduced by Ron Paul), to Audit the Federal Reserve, as the first step in Ending the Fed. 

d. Return to transparent and honest reporting of economic statistics free of gimmicks and distortions. 

e. Require the government and all its agencies adhere to the same GAAP accounting rules that businesses must follow. 

f. Restore the provisions of welfare reform removed with the stimulus bill. 

g. Defeat Cap and Trade, investigate collusion between government and industry in the global warming myth, and prosecute any illegal collusion. 

h. Freeze current stimulus funds, prohibit any further stimulus bills, and apply all unspent funds towards the debt they created. 

i. Promote energy independence aggressively by removing the obstacles created by government to allow private development of our resources; natural gas, oil, coal, and nuclear power. 

j. Institute Zero based budgeting on all programs. 

k. Espouse and follow the principle: It is immoral to steal the property rightfully earned by one person, and give it to another who has no claim or right to its benefits. 

l. Clarify that healthcare is not a right. It is a service. As a compassionate society we will aid those in need. However, the government takeover of healthcare is not only unconstitutional, but detrimental to the entire healthcare system. Only market based solutions will solve the problems.

i. In the state of Maine: 

1. Remove the restrictions on health providers, (as was done in New
Hampshire), to increase competition, drive down the costs, and increase the options available.

a. Bring Maine standards in line with national average. 

b. Allow purchase of insurance across state lines. LD290 

c. Enact tort reform as exemplified by Texas 

d. Eliminate Dirigo

VI. To Secure the Blessings of Liberty:

a. Restore a vigorous grounding in the history and precepts of liberty, freedom, and the
constitution to the educational process. As Thomas Jefferson said, "If a nation expects
to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will
be."

b. Eliminate the Department of Education and restore schools to local control as
specified in the constitution.

b. Repeal and prohibit any participation in efforts to create a one world government