How we can get Fletcher elected President--Send Speaker Jody Richards packing in 06!!

Well Gov. Fletcher has a good chance at moving upward, although I am somewhat disapointeed to think that Jeb wouldn't really take a stab at the Presidency.

Problem with Fletcher is the KY General Assembly. The Senate is strongly in the Fletcher camp, and yeah all the big Republicans are McConnell loyalists (nothing wrong with that I've met w/ and talked to Mitch on numerous occasions he's a good man and a great asset for the people of Kentucky).

But the real problem, the one which will make or break Fletcher's further prospects, lies is the state house of Representatives. I live in Bowling Green, and Speaker Jody Richards (D-BG) used to be a good public servant for his constituents--helped pass important legislation during the terms of Governors' Jones and Patton, done a great deal of good for this area, but he's "grown" in the position. He promised bi-partisanship to help solve the states woes, but in fact has been a mud wall to any progress.

The state health insurance crisis is largely Richard's fault, for blocking tax modernization (which would have allowed the status quo to continue on the spending side), and blocking tort reform, running good doctors out of Kentucky to neighboring states like Indiana and Tennessee, which have passed tort reform. Why? Because trial lawyers prop up Democrats in Frankfort, backed Dr. Dan, backed all the Democrats for Congress, Ben Chandler is a trial lawyer, and they have made it almost impossible to get work done. I'm kinda glad Stumbo is now the A.G., because he can't block stuff on the floor and was one of the Dems best hacks in the state house.

The only way Governor Fletcher will be able to get anything done is if we topple the Democratic leadership in the state house, with Jody Richards being the one to take down in 06. We already toppled what was considered a safe "conservative" Rat, in mr. Roger Thomas, and in two months Jim DeCesare will go to Frankfort to do the work for the citizens in the 21st District, but as long as we have a house with tight rules that can refuse to call a vote on important issues to permanently solve problems and instead prefers to put a bandaid and tourniquet on the problem to minimize the symptoms but not deal with the real mality, then it will put off really solving the problem and keep an issue for the Democrats. We Republicans don't want to keep issues out there, we go in to solve problems.

Jody Richards said tort reform is unnecessary, well, Jody Richards is unneccesary.

Jody Richards said a Partial Birth Abortion ban was unnecessary, well, Jody Richards is unnescessary.

Jody Richards said the Fetal Homicide bill was unnecessary, well, Jody Richards is unnescessary.

Jody even said that the marriage ammendment is unneceesary... JODY RICHARDS IS UNNECCESARY!!!

You give Richards the boot, and the Dems (while able to still control the house, unfortunately, due to the overwhelming margin) will have to come to the table and get some work done. Anyone with me for a campaign to send Jody Richards home? If so email me at schwae25@aol.com.... And come down to Bowling Green and let's Freep the vote in 06 to send Jody Richards home and send Edmond V. Schwab, Jr. to Frankfort to do the business of the people in the 20th District!!!!

Allow the Republicans to get work done and solve problems, send Mr. Richards packing, and you will have a good chance of seeing Gov. Fletcher as our next President.....

I don't want this to stay one sided, so I hope I get some interest drummed up, but for the record, studying up on my opponent in 06, House Speaker Jody Richards has repeatedly refused to respond to the NPAT (National Political Awareness Test) on issues of importance to constituents, when asked to do so by media outlets and public officals of both parties including:

John McCain, Republican Senator

Geraldine Ferraro, Former Democratic Congresswoman

Michael Dukakis, Former Democratic Governor

Bill Frenzel, Former Republican Congressman

The Kentucky Center for Public Issues--a Government Reform watchdog group, gave Speaker Richards an 8% rating.

The AFL-CIO gave Speaker Richards a 88% rating in the last three election cycles.

Refusing to give election positions on issues--sounds a lot like other crooked Dems, like Roger Thomas, who Rep-elect Jim DeCesare just unseated. Roger Thomas had basically inherited that seat when Billy Ray Smith became Ag Commisioner. If Thomas was unseated, so can Jody...

Jody has refused to answer questions for the Kentucky Candidate Information Survey. I am not yet a declared/filed candidate (that usually doesn't occur till the November the year before the election year), but I will give my positions on the issues, right here right now....

1. State policy makers should deal with budget shortfalls through spending cuts rather than raising taxes. Strongly Agree--Problem is not because we are undertaxed, it is because the leadership in Frankfort persistently overspends. Need tax cuts to stimulate economic growth and increased revenue. Tax modernization must play an important role as well.

2. KERA's high statkes testing philosophy places too much pressure on teachers to "teach to the test" rather than to educate." Agree- KERA needs significant reform because curriculum should be for the student's total education, not just facts/figures to maintain a certain test score level.

3. To reduce teen pregnancy, schools should be allowed to offer contraceptives to students. Strongly Disagree- Schools have no place teaching sexual values that are contrary to those of students or parents. Any Sex Ed. should emphasize abstinence.

4. The practice of human cloning, including for research purposes, should be banned in Kentucky. STRONGLY AGREE

5. There should be a statewide ban on nude dancing in public places. STRONGLY AGREE

6. To help meet budget shortfalls, Kentucky should dramatically increase taxes on cigarettes. DISAGREE- Increasing taxes on tobacco products would only hurt tobacco farmers who are already straining from reduced quotas. To remain competitive, taxes should be lowered to reduce decline in tobacco as a revenue source--which may attract purchasers from neighboring states with much higher tax rates...

7. To increase tax revenue, Kentucky should act to expand legalized gambling. AGREE- Kentucky is losing out on revenue to neigboring states and this should be an integral component to any tax modernization strategy. However, such an expansion should be decided by Kentucky voters, not the legislature.

8. We should devote fewer of our tax dollars to the state education administration and more to local school districts. STRONGLY AGREE- Waste in top level bureacracy is rampant, and it causes harm by reducing funding for local school district appropriations.

9. There should be a law mandating that no relgious references be posted on state property. STRONGLY DISAGREE. Faith and spirituality are the building blocks of both the state and nation, and must have their place.

10. No more restrictions should be placed on abortion in Kentucky. STRONGLY DISAGREE- While the supreme court may currently hold the upper hand, Kentucky should move to reinstate its universal laws banning abortion for any reason. We may have to wait for a more favorable court to allow it to be enforced, but we should keep a step ahead of the game.

11. Affirmative action guidelines in admissions and hiring are the best ways to help minorities and women. STRONGLY DISAGREE- Affirmitave action pepetuates the soft bigotry of low expectations. Oppose any race/gender based quotas or set asides.

List your Top three policy priotites should you be elected.

1. Tax Reform/Modernization

2. Place caps on medical malpractice punitive damages claims to lower costs and attract doctors back to Kentucky.

3. Attract new business and industries to area.

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