palm beach county gop newsletter - october 2011

Republican Party of Palm Beach County

MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN

DINERSTEIN: “GREG LANGOWSKI”

Let’s face it. It’s the job of staff people to make their bosses look good. So here’s my true confession: every

time you congratulated me for a Lincoln Day Dinner or LobsterFest done well, you were praising the wrong person. I just show up, grab a microphone and read a prepared script. The staff does all the work. And in the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, that means Greg Langowski for events and fundraising and Mark Hoch for politics, strategies and campaign

finance law. Greg has been with us for six years, coming to us from (believe it or not) Mayor Frankel’s office. What started as a strong work ethic grew into highly developed event-planning skills. The bonus became Greg’s willingness to help with fundraising, the hardest part of my job. Greg leaves us in good shape in every way. Our energy is high. Our REC outgrew its space. Our fundraising is on target and our events are selling out. Of course somebody figured out who really does the work around here. That would be Senator Rubio. Last November Palm Beach County substantially over performed. We got Candidate Rubio within three thousand votes of Governor Crist. We took the West and Benacquisto seats. And we kept the whole coast by twenty plus points in tossup districts. The Rubio team added it all up and came looking for Greg. It’s a complement to all of us; the volunteers, the REC, the clubs and our Board. Please take some time in the near future to thank Greg and wish him luck. I know I will. The special privilege I get going forward is that I can stop calling Greg my employee and start calling him my friend.

MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GREG LANGOWSKI

My Fellow Republicans, It has been a true pleasure to work for the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. After six years as serving as Executive Director I will be leaving to work for Senator Marco Rubio as his Southeast Florida Regional Director for his legislative office. The Republican Party of Palm Beach County is one of the strongest Parties in our State for events, fundraising, and organization. You truly have a stable Party and great days are ahead as we enter the 2012 election season. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to fighting the good fight in support of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. It has been my honor to be part of the team. The Republican Party of Palm Beach County has a tremendous opportunity over the next several years. We are more prepared than ever to elect Republicans and our attention and efforts are focused on re-claiming Republican seats, fundraising and getting out the Republican vote. Please remain committed to changing and improving the Republican Party of Palm Beach County because its success will be found in the participation and dedication of each you in the ranks and the ability to grow the membership. As we move forward, please support and participate. It will take each of you to achieve the goals and make the Republican Party of Palm Beach County the best in the country. Again thank you for the memories and the opportunity to serve our Party. All the best, Greg Langowski Executive Director Regional Director, Southeast Region Office of United States Senator Marco Rubio

Newsletter of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, Florida – October 2011


October 2011 issue of the Newsletter, published monthly by the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. The views and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial staff, REC Board of Directors, or the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee. Letters to the editor are welcomed but should be no longer than 500 words and may be edited for length and content. All submissions are property of their respective authors and may not be reproduced without prior permission of the author. Any comments, questions, or other feedback should be directed to [email protected].

In This Issue…

Rep. Club of the Northern Palm Beaches……………………………………….……..….………2 The Greatest American……………………………………….……..….………The Commissioner’s Report……………...……………..……….......3 I’m A Republican Jew...And Proud!…………..……....……….…...4 What’s Happening in Palm Beach County.……………...………...5 Club Elections Update……………………….………….……..……..3 January Photo Feature……………………….………….……..……..3 A Citizen’s Advice to the Governor..……………………...………...5 Letters to the Editor………………………………..

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers

Sid Dinerstein, Chairman Margi Helschien, Vice Chair Michael A. Barnett, Secretary

Ira Sabin, Treasurer Fran Hancock, State Committeewoman

Peter Feaman, State Committeeman

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

3 4 4 5 6 8 9 10

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

Mission Statement

The Republican Party of Palm Beach County iscommitted to promoting Republican ideals andprinciples; recruiting and electing qualifiedcandidates for public office; developing agrassroots organization that will motivate theelectorate to vote; and raising the fundsnecessary to complete these objectives.

www.pbcgop.org

Why Field Trips Are Important, by Margi Helschien………..……………………..………….….4There Is No Palestine, by Ira Brawer…………………..………………………………………….…………………………………..……………….…………. 5The Committeeman’s Corner:

Don’t Forget the Grassroots, by Hugh W. Brown Jr……..….6Obama Does Not Get It, by Lowell Levine…………………….……...……………………....….6

Hasner Addresses the Palm Beach County Tea Party……..……………...…7What’s Happening……………....……………....……………………………………………………………………....……………....……………....……………....………………………………....………..…………………..….….8The Grapevine: Agenda 21, by Rosetta Bailey………………………………...…………………….………..……………….9Congressman West Town Hall Meeting…………………………………....…..…….....………....………..…….…………….....10Sen. Benacquisto’s Legislative Update………....…….………….……..……………………..…..…………………………..…….….11Israel is Now an Electoral Wedge Issue

by Perry Birman……....……………....……………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………....……………...…….……..…..12Re-Writing the Langwidge, by Raymond Tresca……………………………….………..……………..……….13

In This Issue…

© 2011 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY Regions Financial Tower, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 210, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401-2301

Phone: (561) 686-1616 Fax: (561) 686-1898 Email: [email protected]

Ira Brawer Settles the Israel/Palestine land dispute once and for all…

On Page 5

Vice Chair Margi Helschien takes us on a field trip to Presidency 5 and CPAC…

On Page 4


In Memory of CHAIRMAN DAVID BITNER,

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA 1948 - 2011

NEWSLETTER PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR COMMITTEE. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

© 2011 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY Regions Financial Tower, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 210, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401-2301

Phone: (561) 686-1616 Fax: (561) 686-1898 Email: [email protected]

We did not know Dave long enough. He was top of the class and it was an honor to call him Chairman...

--Sid Dinerstein

Photo by Mort Kuff


Why Field Trips Are Important

By Margi Helschien Vice Chair, Republican Party of Palm Beach County

Winner of the Jean Pipes Award, 2011

Presidency 5 was a chance for Florida counties to get together and meet the candidates, socialize and allow the delegates have the opportunity to meet and hear the candidates and then "pick" the nominee for our Party. There was a non-binding straw poll, which was to

be a measure of how the Republicans in the state feel about the candidates and who they would like to see nominated by our party. According to the RPOF, since its inception back in 1979, the Presidency Straw Polls have served as a platform to enable potential candidates to bring their message directly to the voters. In addition, Florida Straw polls have correctly predicted who would become the eventual Republican Presidential nominee. The interesting thing about field trips is that people who usually do not talk to each other at home, wind up suddenly forgetting the reason they did not speak. People tend to bond in field trip settings because they like the familiarity of seeing someone from home. People want to be happy and people want to laugh. Thus, the broken relationships start to heal and hurt feelings are forgotten. The cool thing is that they can now have new experiences and memories that take over. Palm Beach County is no different from any other county. We have all sorts of people with many different personalities. But, I am proud of our Palm Beach County Republicans as not only did we make a great showing with 146 delegates, we ALL got along and we had

FUN! When the straw poll winner was announced, everyone stood up and cheered...together!

When our chairman Sid Dinerstein read our County's name (above), everyone stood up and cheered. I noticed that even Jennifer Carroll who was announcing the counties looked up and acknowledged our enthusiasm. We were a united team! We ate together, we sat together, we walked together (and yes, we walked, and walked...) we were all polite to each other, and hugged each other and we liked each other. It is not about "you" and it is not about "me". It is about US! Palm Beach County Republicans, be proud, because when push comes to shove, we know how to be Republicans and we know how to be united!


There is No Palestine

By Rabbi Ira Brawer The first time I traveled to Israel was back in 1964. I spent a summer there with my mom visiting my grandparents and meeting our Israeli aunts, uncles and cousins, too numerous to count. They were actually my mom’s first cousins, but because she was the oldest one of her generation, several of them were closer to my age than hers. These families had been living in Israel since the 1930’s, when they immigrated from Poland and Germany. At that time the land was known as Palestine, and was under British rule. They were issued passports, which listed their nationality as Palestinian. All Jews living in what was then known as Palestine were considered Palestinians. It was not a term that referred to Arabs exclusively. So where did the idea of an Arab Palestinian people with a nation come from? It is a total invention of the terrorist Yasser Arafat back in the late 60’s. If we trace the history of that name for any land related to Israel, we would have to go back to 135 CE (AD). This was the time of the 2nd Jewish revolt against Roman rule. The Romans one again brutally put down the revolt and as a total insult to the Jewish people renamed the territory that was previously known as Judea to Palestine, after Philistia, the historical bitter enemy of the Jewish people. Jerusalem was destroyed and renamed Aelia Capitolina, and was turned into a pagan city. A statue of Jupiter was erected on the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. The name Palestine stuck throughout the years of conquest. The British defeated the Turks in 1917 in WW I, and the British mandate was established by the League of Nations shortly thereafter. The territory included not only what is Israel today but also all of present day Jordan. In 1923, in a pay back to the Hashemite family for their role in WW I, the mandate was split, with 70% of the land going to establish a new state called Transjordan, or Jordan, which was to be free of Jews. Nearly 100% of the Jordanian population was what we today would call “Palestinians”. They were Arab nomads that migrated to the area from the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century and later. We could say that Jordan IS the Palestinian state. The reality is that there have never been a distinct Palestinian people or a nation of Palestine. However, in spite of this fact, the Arabs have been offered a state of their own several times since

the 1920’s, and have in each case turned it down. The reason is obvious, that is not their ultimate goal. The effort going on today to establish an independent Palestinian state is a total deception. It is incredible that anyone really thinks that the motive of these people is anything other than the destruction of the state of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish people. It is total insanity for anyone to think that if Israel just compromised and gave up more land that there would be peace. Israel has made several major land concessions going back to the late 70’s with the return of the Sinai. Just a few weeks ago a terrorist attack was launched from this area. Israel gave up southern Lebanon that was a buffer zone 10 years ago, now it is infested with Hezbollah rockets. In 2005, Israel gave up Gaza and uprooted thousands of its citizens, in return for nearly daily rocket attacks on its southern cities. So where does this leave us? It is about time that the world recognized that the “Palestinians” have no interest in a peaceful solution, except if it means the destruction of Israel. The Torah is very clear, that those that curse the Jewish people will be cursed. G-d is not neutral. This truth has been demonstrated over and over again throughout history. Knowing that G-d’s love and protection is over Israel, it is not Israel that I am so concerned about. G-d has promised to watch over Israel and protect her. I am concerned with us as a nation and our president’s policy of pressuring and criticizing Israel. I wonder if some of the hardships we presently face as a nation are not the consequences of our policy toward Israel. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper that love you”. Let’s take this seriously, especially during this time of the High Holidays, and especially Yom Kippur. Remember that it was 38 years ago that the horrific Yom Kippur war happened, in which Israel was able to prevail by the grace of G-d. Wishing all a happy and healthy new year. In Hebrew we say, l’shanah tovah! Ira Brawer lives in Boca Raton, where leads Ayts Chayim Messianic Synagogue. Ira has been an REC member since 2002.


Don’t Forget The Grassroots: The Key Is Follow Up

September has been an interesting month for the GOP and Florida remains a key battle ground state in electing our next president. With that said, as pivotal as Florida is, the grassroots

movement can ultimately decide the presidential nominee to represent the GOP. As illustrated by the Florida straw poll, republicans are looking for change—no pun intended—in the form or new ideas and out of the box thinking. The key to empowering the grassroots is thinking outside of the box and finding them in places where you haven’t thought to look before. Sometimes it’s as easy as

following up with someone who expresses interest in helping or volunteering. In my business, follow is key to my success. Follow up is the first step to building relationships and setting the tone for the future of that relationship. Specifically, what I’m referring to is embracing the people from all walks of life who are getting more involved with politics than they ever have before. In my own experience, it’s not easy to get involved with the GOP. I have lived throughout the State of Florida, and I know firsthand how difficult it is to get “in.” Sure, the party and candidates need volunteers for waving signs, dialing and all the other things that support the candidates who subscribe to republican values. But being involved is more than that, it is building relationships within the REC to foster and generate the future leaders. If we allow the values that we share as conservatives to bring us together, we might be delighted to find that we’re in the company of go-getter millennials, hardworking Gen Ys, Gen X moms, and retiring baby boomers. All with various life experiences and motivation for supporting the Republican cause. Look out Palm Beach County; you’re not just a retirement community anymore. With an influx of people from all walks of life, forget race, ethnicity, gender and age, and make it easy for these people to get involved. Welcome them. Sign them up for meaningful activities. It’s not just the responsibility of party officials to engage those in the grassroots movement; we are all responsible for ensuring that when someone expresses interest in helping, that we put them to work!

Obama Just Does Not Get It!!

After listening to the many speeches by President Obama pertaining to the economy, I really feel that his lack of business experience has caught up to his job requirements. There are FOUR basic ways among others that can get this economy started on the road to recovery. ONE...Lift the business regulations that are choking small businesses in this Country. There are over 2 trillion dollars in cash ready to be invested for business expansion and to create jobs but the executives are afraid of all the regulations that are preventing them to expand and could be very costly. Lifting the unnecessary regulations can create millions of jobs. SECOND--A flat Corporate Tax of 20% applied to all Corporations with absolutely no loopholes. This will reduce the tax burden of those corporations paying at a 35% tax rate and I will force the remaining corporation like GE to pay their fair share. This could be a revenue income of over 100 billion per year and create business expansion, which will create jobs. THIRD--The new Visa restrictions that Obama has put into place. This has made it difficult for people with money to visit the United States for 6 month stays. These people will spend money on goods and services, housing, entertainment, as well as pay into the States sale tax revenue and Tourist tax revenues. FOURTH---We must curtail wasted/corrupt spending and work toward reducing the deficit and balancing the budget. This would build confidence with the people and the businesses as well as foreign governments and foreign corporations.

Lowell E. Levine, Business Coach-Advisor

561-374-0673 [email protected]

www.lowellconsultingroup.com

The Committeeman’s Corner Here’s Your Chance. Speak Your Mind.

Hugh W. Brown, Jr., Florida Gubernatorial Fellows


Hasner to the Tea Party: Reinforcements Are On the Way

BOCA RATON, FL. October 4, 2011. U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hasner appeared before a meeting of the Palm Beach County Tea Party. This tea party group, headed by Pam Wohlschlegel, is well known for attracting large crowds at their meetings throughout the county, and tonight was no exception. Over 100 activists, including Republicans, Independents, and some Democrats, packed the Boca Greens Country Club to hear Hasner speak. Adam Hasner is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, District 87, and served as Majority Leader under Speaker Marco Rubio. He recently won the Senate straw poll at the CPAC conference in Orlando this past September. Hasner’s campaign has received endorsements from radio talk show host Marc Levin, Erick Erickson of Red State, and the Family Research Council.

The first part of the meeting consisted of a buffet dinner of fish and pot roast. Then Alex Berry, the group’s co-founder and Boca Raton Chapter Coordinator, introduced Hasner, who spoke on a number of issues high on the minds of the tea party group’s members, including calling for on shore and

off shore oil drilling and full transparency of the Federal Reserve. Hasner touted his record as a legislator of having stood up against groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other forms of Islamic extremism, even withstanding false allegations of being a racist or an Islamophobe or a bigot. Hasner stated clearly “CAIR is a terrorist front group that is funding Hamas….”

Hasner went on the attack against Democrat incumbent Senator Bill Nelson, calling him one of the biggest cheerleaders for President Obama and his administration’s policies, also pointing out that Nelson has voted with Obama 98% of the time on the stimulus program, Cap and Trade, Card Check, and raising the debt ceiling. Demonstrating he’s not afraid to take on both sides when necessary, Hasner stated “I have proven myself to stand up not only to the Democrats but also to Republicans who act like them.” He acknowledged that establishment Republicans who have voted like Democrats are also to blame for our economic mess. He credited the Tea Party movement for saving the Republican Party in 2010, and said that the movement will ultimately save our country in 2012. After a brief question and answer period, Hasner remained to speak personally with the tea party members, shaking hands and taking photos. Several REC members attended the meeting, including Cheryl Mullings, Mike Barnett, Starla M. Brown, Janeen Capizola, and State Senate Dist. 25 Candidate Mike Lameyer.

www.PalmBeachCountyTeaParty.org

Photo courtesy of Boris Balaban


Agenda 21 Conference – Operation Paul Revere, Oct. 22

Where: Pompano Beach Civic Center

1801 NE 6th Street Pompano Beach, FL 33060

When: October 22, 2011 Doors Open: 8:00 - 3:00 Lunch & Beverage: $10.00 The purpose of the conference is to get the message out to stop the United Nations’ takeover of our freedom and our country. To register go to: WWW.AGENDA21TODAY.COM

St. Mary's Anglican Church Fall Fish Fry

Come and join us for an excellent meal supporting a great cause: St. Mary's Anglican Church Fall Fish Fry Friday, October 7, 2011 Dine in 6:00 - 8:00 PM Take out only 5:00 - 6:00 PM Tickets are $8.00 at the door We are located at 100 Homewood Blvd., Delray Beach, Florida 33445, on the SE corner of W. Atlantic Ave. and Homewood Blvd. Our website is www.stmarydelray.org Thank you in advance for your support. Please stop by on your way in and say "hello" to your Humble Fryer. Greg Ringdahl, 561-603-9764

Republican Club of the Northern Palm Beaches

Monday, October 10th 5:30pm to 7:30pm The Yard House Downtown at the Gardens Palm Beach Gardens $10 for members $15 for guests

Guest Speaker: State Representative

Pat Rooney

Let us know you are coming: Reply to [email protected]

March in the Boot of our Troops Walk When: Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10AM

sharp. Arrive before 9:30AM to register. Where: BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL (Florida

Panthers) Beneficiary: West Palm Beach and Miami Fisher

House,www.fisherhouse.org

The March in the Boot of our Troops walk is a fun activity for anyone who wants to support our honored men and women of the military. The walk will be at the BankAtlantic Center, home of the Florida Panthers, in Sunrise, FL. The walk is approximately 3 miles long, twice around the BankAtlantic Center. There is a minimum $40.00 sponsorship fee for each participant. The sponsorship fee includes free parking, a T-shirt and a ticket to the Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Lightning game on November 6, 2011. Water and light snacks will be provided. We encourage you to request donations from friends, family and neighbors. Form a team. A prize will be given to a team of up to 10 people who raise the most money. In addition, we will be collecting used or new non-violent and non-military DVD movies for the Concussion Restoration Care Center, located at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. [email protected].

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PBC AND BEYOND


THE GRAPEVINE --by Rosetta Bailey, Correspondent

We live in times that are very delicate and I was wondering just what message should be brought to

the front. The message I have been writing and speaking about is Agenda 21 and the evil it is doing to our local, county, state and federal governments. The officials that we have elected for those positions have taken an oath to uphold our constitution and sometimes I wonder in amazement how little they know or want to know what the people think or need. They miss the point or just have no clue on how the ordinary person views our country or ideals. According to an article written by Laura Rambeau Lee in the Freedom 21 web site....

“on June 4 - 6, 2012 there is a scheduled Earth Charter” which is to be an ethical framework for a more just, sustainable and peaceful world...they are busy preparing their agenda for the Rio + 20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They have prepared a draft entitled Enabling a Flourishing Earth Challenges for the Green Economy, Opportunities for Global Governance”.

She goes on to say "they understand that their “green” initiative has not progressed as quickly as they had hoped it would. Cap and trade schemes that involve redistribution of wealth from developed countries to developing countries based on a market price on carbon dioxide emissions have not generated sufficient revenue. A new or additional scheme proposing a Global Commons Trust Fund would impose a tax or levy on any person or entity that uses a global common. Finally, to raise additional revenue they also propose a global tax on financial transactions. We are Americans first and foremost. Then we are participants within a political party. We must unite to stop this United Nations gradual take over of our freedom, just like a cancer; if not cut out, it will continue to spread until we are consumed with Marxist control. Today, Fox News announced that the UN is building another structure behind the existing building in New York City, and the U.S. tax payers or money borrowed from China will be paying $500 Million toward the cost. We

must unite to stop this corrupt UN from telling us how to live, what to eat, what to drive and to live in tenements? The UN’s intention is to work through the EPA and other US government organizations to impose taxes or

levies on the water we drink and the air we breathe. Read the Executive Order 13547 and see just how far they are going to eradicate our freedom. We must educate ourselves on the issues that will affect our lives in every aspect. If you have a real concern for your country and your freedom, attend our conference on Agenda 21, October 22nd located at the Pompano Beach Civic Center, where we will be educating people on the evils of Agenda 21. Speakers will cover a variety of topics. John Casey, our main speaker, author of “Cold Sun” will discuss the climate and how we are being lied to about global warming. The group Miami Land Grab will have landowners discuss how Agenda 21 has impacted their lives, their property having been taken by our government. Senator Marco Rubio’s assistant JR Sanchez has been listening to our concerns and is working closely with Kris Annie Hall a constitutional attorney. We are getting the message out and people are listening. We need more politicians and candidates’ involvement to stop this insanity. Can we stop Agenda 21? I do not know for sure; the UN has been working on this issue for a very long time. Know it, Fear it, End it. First and foremost we must vote President Obama out of office and elect a true American, with American ideals. We need a constitutional conservative that will bring our great nation back to what it once was and still can be. I will conclude with an excerpt from Washington’s Farewell Address: “For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of 'American', which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts; of common dangers, sufferings and successes.”

God Bless America Rosetta Bailey

AGENDA 21


Congressman West, September Town Hall:

Protest Fizzles, but Allen Sizzles By Mike Barnett

BOYNTON BEACH, FL. September 28, 2011. What a let down! I don’t mean Allen, because his presentation was incredible as always. However at the town hall meeting only about five or seven protesters had the guts to show up. As you now know, MoveOn and the insidious union left-winger progressives like the ones who protested Wall Street and were arrested by the hundreds, planned to visit District 22 to protest our Congressman…at St. Mark’s Catholic School in Boynton Beach…on one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year. I drove to the town hall that afternoon really looking forward to watching Congressman West dress down some of those angry, foolish liberals, which is always a treat, and no one can do it better than Allen! But it wasn’t to be; they rallied outside, where they were safe, without having to worry about Allen or the rest of us free thinkers challenging them. We could see one clearly confused protester pressing her yellow “Hands Off My Medicare” sign against the glass window, before being politely escorted away by a very capable Boynton Beach police officer. MoveOn didn’t even stick around long enough for me to flash my new Casio camera. No fireworks. Nothing. It seems a better use of their efforts would have been to come inside, put their questions on paper, and have their concerns directly addressed by Congressman West in a civilized forum. Yes, MoveOn failed to deliver. But enough of those misguided clods.

Congressman West on the other hand delivered his presentation with the detail and clarity we’ve come to

expect. On the Budget and Jobs: West first apologized for the U.S. Congress not having passed a budget, thereby failing in its only Constitutional mandate. No family, said West, can operate without a budget, but the United States government has been doing so for 888 days. West also slammed Obama’s job-killing regulations and his proposed $447 Billion “jobs bill” which would continue to stifle small businesses and small banks. “We cannot grow down here on Main Street if we keep growing on K Street and on Pennsylvania and on Constitution Avenue…” On Green Energy: In light of the recent Solyndria scandal involving government subsidizing of “green energy” businesses, West told the crowd “I don’t believe the federal government should be in the job of picking what type of car you should be buying” and that the free market should dictate instead.

On the Debt and Deficits: Congressman West presented a chart depicting the trillion dollar deficits we’ve had under Obama the last three years compared to the budgets of the mid-1990’s. He told the crowd that President Obama has “doubled down” and is refusing to pivot from his desire to increase spending and taxes. However, West noted when President Clinton and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate worked together to control spending, or more specifically when Clinton was forced by the Republicans to concede on issues like welfare, the government saw dramatic revenues increase while experiencing budget surpluses. And one good part of the Deficit Reduction Act, said West, is that we are guaranteed to have a vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment in the House and Senate at some point between October 1st and the end of 2011. “We have got to get the federal government…back to operating within its means…”

Lori Mugavero, left, and Kathy Colleran with Congressman West


Legislative Update from Sen. Benacquisto As committee weeks begin this month in Tallahassee, legislators from across the state are crafting legislation that they believe will make Florida a better place to live and work. One important piece of legislation I am working on is a bill that I will be filing in the Senate this year, along with Representative Pat Rooney, which will make it against the law to protest within 500 feet the funerals of our military servicemen and women. Funerals are a sacred time for families and friends to come together and mourn the passing of a loved one, and all too often they are used for political purposes. These displays distort the legacy of our service men and women. I'm proud to sponsor this important piece of legislation that recognizes the meaningful balance we must strike

between the First Amendment and a family's right to grieve in private for their fallen loved one. This legislation will allow our military heroes to receive the honor and reverence they so richly deserve. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the legislature will recognize what an important initiative this is to the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. I hope that as committee weeks progress that you will let your voice be heard in support of this legislation. As always, if my office can be of any assistance, or if you have any concerns over legislative matters please feel free to contact me at 239-433-6599.

All the best,

Lizbeth Benacquisto

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★ It’s Picnic Time!!

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Israel Now an Electoral Wedge Issue

By Perry Birman

I foresaw support for Israel becoming a wedge issue in domestic US politics about a year and a half ago, after President Obama abandoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, leaving Netanyahu and his aides and going to have dinner with Michele and their children. There have been many conflicts between the two leaders, but the Obama-Israel tension was greatly exacerbated in May this year when Obama broadsided Mr. Netanyahu, making his infamous “1967 lines” speech favoring Palestinians while the Israeli Prime Minister was in an airplane, en route to Washington, DC. The following day, Netanyahu took the opportunity to set the record straight and “school” Mr. Obama on the history of the Middle East in the Oval Office on national television. The expression of disdain on Obama’s face as Netanyahu spoke was chilling.

A few days later, Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress on the same subject. The Congress gave Prime Minister Netanyahu 26 standing ovations. The Representatives of “We The People” seemed to have had a different attitude toward the Israeli Prime Minister than President Obama did… All Americans, but especially Democrats, are shocked that New York’s 9th District, a congressional seat that has been held by a Democrat without interruption since 1925, has recently gone Republican in a special election to replace disgraced Congressman Anthony “The Weiner”. Demographically the district is middle to lower-middle class, 40% (largely Orthodox) Jewish and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one. Ex-NY Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat who voted for Barack Obama in 2008 (but regrets it), weighed in supporting the Republican, urging voters to do the same in order to send a message to Obama regarding the Obama administration’s hostility to Israel. In the end Bob Turner the Republican, a

Christian political neophyte, defeated David Weprin, the politically experienced Orthodox Jewish Democrat by 8%. The result is clearly a repudiation of Barack Obama and his hostility to Israel. At long last some Jewish voters may be realizing that the Republican Party of the 21st century is the party that supports Israel more strongly. In fact, a recent Gallup poll has shown that 80% of Republicans, very few of whom are Jews, favor Israelis over Palestinians while only 57% of Democrats favor Israel. In 2010 it was 85% Republican and 48% Dem. I wonder, what would the level of Democrat support for Israel be if Jews were subtracted from the Democratic party, the party most Jews belong to and vote for. 45%? 40%? Less? As things stand in America today, you can extrapolate the “Obama effect” on NY-9 onto the entire country. Not everybody in the US is an Israel-lover, and not everybody has to be. But in the wake of Muslim Jihadis screaming “Allahu Akbar” as they murdered almost 3000 of us on 9/11, in the wake of Muslim U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan screaming “Allahu Akbar” as he killed 13 of our soldiers at Fort Hood, the vast majority of Americans now understands that we are the target of Islamists. Just like Israel has been a victim of that same Islamic death-cult for decades, if not centuries. And while all Muslims are not terrorists, not nearly enough Muslims have been visible enough nor vociferous enough in their condemnation of the continuous barrage of murderous acts committed against America and Israel in the name of their god. Why is that? Incredibly now, the Obama White House is launching an outreach effort to convince American Jews that Barack Obama is a friend of Israel. Let me repeat that: an outreach effort to American Jews - the demographic group that gave 78% of its votes to Obama in 2008! The foundation of our country is laid upon Judeo-Christian values, which are not necessarily Muslim values. The level of support for Israel by political parties is now a wedge issue in American domestic politics. The sad reality is that one cannot be both pro-Israel and pro-Muslim. The majority of Americans (and their Congress) favors Israel. Barack Obama has shown consistent hostility toward Israel in order to curry favor with Muslims. Do the math. Democrats certainly are. Ask Ed Koch and the voters in NY-9. Perry Birman, Boca Raton


Raymond Tresca:

Re-Writing the Langwidge

Ever since the first time I realized Liberalism existed, and long before, Iʼm sure, Liberals have been trying to alter the English dictionary. The first recollection I have of this was when they called American

war heroes “baby killers.” When President Lyndon Johnson declared a “war” on poverty in his 1964 State of the Union Address, no one pictured General Patton leading a thousand tanks across the country. Forty-seven years later, if the Republicans “target” a district, Democrats and the media describe a scene from the invasion of Normandy. Taxes became fees, illegal aliens became undocumented workers, Liberals became Progressives, Yasser Arafat became a Nobel Peace laureate, acts of terrorism became man made disasters, socialism became spreading the wealth, an American President wasn’t sure what “is” means, and fair share became “hold on to your wallets.” Okay, I threw that last one in there. When Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “We are defining deviancy down,” he had no idea that would include the English language. History is full of rhetoric, half truths, and outright lies that have spurred the most heinous acts against human beings. Hitler’s Germany, in part, was the constant pounding that vilified Jews. They were blamed for just about all of Germany’s woes. It did not start out with gas chambers and death camps. The Jim Crow South was born from the resistance to accepting Blacks as equals after the Civil War. It did not begin with lynchings. In both of these cases a villain was named and mobs whipped into frenzies.

In both cases it was the progression of “good men doing nothing.” While I do not for a moment suggest a comparison just yet, as a Conservative and member of the Tea Party, I am now on a list. Racist I am called. Representative Andre Carson says that I want to see blacks hanging from trees. I am told by Congresswoman Waters to go straight to hell. Union leaders are singling me out as the “son of a bitch that must be taken out.” The Vice President says I am the “barbarian at the gate that must be stopped.” The White House Press Secretary says that the President speaks for himself. Collectively, they are in constant denial that he even knows this is happening, and I guess he didn’t “inhale” Jeremiah Wright’s speeches either. He had no knowledge of Jimmy Hoffa Jr.ʼs remarks just before he took the stage, and Bill Ayers was just a guy in the neighborhood in whose house he just happened to launch his Presidential bid. The charge of “racism” just doesn’t work anymore because it has been so wrongfully over used; it no longer has the vile and vicious meaning that it once had. Anti-Semitism is in vogue, and is spreading like the plague. With each and every Arab spring comes a cold dark winter for mankind. “Never again” and “never forget” are terms that should be seared into the memory of every good man and woman on the planet. I wonder if General Eisenhower really believed that people would actually deny that the holocaust happened. Words mean things; they were meant to mean things to give us an accurate way of communicating. Before you accuse me of something, make sure the shoe fits. So will it be langwidge or language? Remember, I defend you and what you do. If they “take me out,” you may be next. Ray Tresca, REC Committeeman

palm beach county gop newsletter - october 2011

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