ROMNEY URGES PASSAGE OF PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

June 28 – Appearing today with a broad array of religious, civic and political leaders, Governor Mitt Romney urged the Legislature and its leaders to bring the Amendment to a "fair vote" during the Constitutional Convention on July 12. Standing today with Governor Romney in support of the Protection of Marriage Amendment, which would allow the voters of the Commonwealth to determine the definition of marriage in Massachusetts, were Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archdiocese of Boston; Bishop George Coleman, Diocese of Fall River; Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester; Dr. Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org; Kris Mineau, President, Massachusetts Family Institute; and a bi-partisan group of state legislators. "It is the constitutional duty of every legislator to give the Protection of Marriage Amendment an up or down vote during this legislative session," said Governor Romney.   "The people have a right to decide this issue, but they can only do so if the Legislature does its job."

Media Release

June 28, 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: 

Lisa Barstow 617-480-1719 | VoteOnMarriage.org

Eric Fehrnstrom 617-725-4025 | Office of Governor Mitt Romney

                       

Gov. Romney Joins Civic and Religious Leaders to Urge Passage of

Protection of Marriage Amendment

Allowing citizens the right to define marriage in Massachusetts

 

Boston – Appearing today with a broad array of religious, civic and political leaders, Governor Mitt Romney urged the Legislature and its leaders to bring the Amendment to a "fair vote" during the Constitutional Convention on July 12.

Standing today with Governor Romney in support of the Protection of Marriage Amendment, which would allow the voters of the Commonwealth to determine the definition of marriage in Massachusetts, were Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archdiocese of Boston; Bishop George Coleman, Diocese of Fall River; Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester; Dr. Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org; Kris Mineau, President, Massachusetts Family Institute; and a bi-partisan group of state legislators.

"It is the constitutional duty of every legislator to give the Protection of Marriage Amendment an up or down vote during this legislative session," said Governor Romney.  "The people have a right to decide this issue, but they can only do so if the Legislature does its job."

Cardinal Sean O'Malley said, "Marriage is the foundation of family life in our society. People of many faiths and from many walks of life have joined us to support marriage as being only the union between one man and one woman. The debate over the meaning of marriage should not be limited to government officials. The magnitude of the issue calls for full participation by the citizens of the Commonwealth. We urge our legislators to let the people exercise their right to vote."

"Governor Romney has said all along that the people's voice matters, and today he has demonstrated that leadership again by focusing public attention on those in the state legislature who are strategizing to deny Massachusetts citizens the right to vote on marriage," said Kris Mineau, President, Massachusetts Family Institute and Spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org.

According to media reports, legislative opponents of the Amendment are considering a variety of parliamentary procedures to avoid a clear yes or no vote on the Amendment—constitutionally known as "final action" by the legislature and a requirement for all citizen-initiated petitions, such as the Protection of Marriage Amendment.

"We know that the absence of fathers in our neighborhoods contributes to the culture of violence," said Rev. Alexander Hurt, Kingdom Church-Brockton.  "The marriage amendment says to our community, 'both mothers and fathers matter' in the development of healthy families and healthy communities."

"Unelected judges have conjured up their own interpretation of marriage and family," said Rev. Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org.  "This amendment is the only way the people of Massachusetts can determine for themselves how the society they live in and contribute to should define marriage."

VoteOnMarriage.org – the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts – collected over 170,000 petition signatures last fall in support of the Protection of Marriage Amendment.  The Secretary of the Commonwealth certified the petitions last December, moving the Amendment to the state legislature where it requires the vote of 50 lawmakers this year and next year before going to the voters in 2008.  Governor Romney supports the Protection of Marriage Amendment and the people's right to define marriage and family for themselves.

# # #

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                      CONTACT:

June 28, 2006                                                                                      Eric Fehrnstrom

                                                                                                            (617) 725-4025

                                                                                                                                   

 

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR ROMNEY

 

Governor Mitt Romney made the following statement today regarding the Massachusetts Protection of Marriage Amendment:

 

"Our elected representatives in the Legislature will soon hold a historic vote. It regards the institution of marriage.

 

But it will not be a vote for or against same sex marriage.

 

No, it will be a vote for or against democracy.

 

The people here today have followed the law, followed the process established in the Constitution, and gathered an astounding 170,000 signatures. Their effort means that the people, the citizens, will be free to choose how marriage is defined in Massachusetts.

 

This is democracy pure and simple.

 

Of course, democracy can be squashed. Only one fourth of the legislators must vote for democracy, for this question, this choice, to be given to the people. But it is conceivable that some will try to block a vote by the people by blocking a vote of the legislature.

 

We here are speaking for democracy and the rule of the law. Whether you agree that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman or not, surely you can agree that the course of democracy, established by the Constitution, must be followed. Is there anything more fundamental to this Commonwealth and this country than the principle that power is reserved to the people, that government is the servant, not the master?

 

We ask for one thing: the constitutionally prescribed vote of the Legislature. Let the people speak."

 

###

ROMNEY VETOES WASTEFUL SPENDING, CITES NEED TO MAINTAIN FISCAL DISCIPLINE

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department State House Boston, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000 MITT ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2006 CONTACT: Eric Fehrnstrom Felix Browne (617) 725-4025 ROMNEY VETOES WASTEFUL SPENDING, CITES NEED TO MAINTAIN FISCAL DISCIPLINE Also takes action to reduce judicial pay raise from 15 percent to 4.1 percent Governor Mitt Romney warned today that the Legislature is heading down a "dangerous path" by dipping into the rainy day fund to pay for millions of dollars in new spending.   Romney made the comments as he issued vetoes on a pair of spending bills sent to him by the Legislature. "I cannot in good conscience agree to spending money from the rainy day fund in a year of record high revenues.   The spending in these bills would put Massachusetts on the same road to ruin we've been down before," Romney said. "Most of the cuts I have made are for projects that would be nice to have, but which we cannot justify paying for out of rainy day funds.   A smaller number of these projects are just pure pork," he added. Millions of dollars were earmarked by legislators for pet projects in their districts, drawing down the state's $1.7 billion Stabilization Fund by $256 million.   Romney's vetoes to both bills – a supplemental budget and an economic stimulus package - totaled $225 million. The vetoes took aim at many different earmarks, including $150,000 for the University of Massachusetts to study the winter moth, $250,000 for the Hopkinton Athletic Association, $100,000 for a gazebo on Sunset Lake in Braintree and $4 million to research the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. "Four years ago, we had a serous budget crisis in this state, and a lot of hard work went into putting Massachusetts back on solid footing.  For this, the Legislature deserves credit. But if we don't maintain fiscal discipline today, big problems are sure to follow tomorrow," Romney said. Romney is also reducing the 15 percent raise given to judges, judicial clerks and sheriffs to make those increases consistent with the 4.1 percent raises given to other constitutional officers.  He is also vetoing the provisions and funding that would make the raises retroactive and allow some clerks and sheriffs to receive higher than 15 percent raises. "A 15 percent retroactive pay raise for judges is excessive.  I am proposing a more modest increase that is fair to both the judges and to the taxpayers," said Romney. The supplemental budget included $301 million in appropriations, plus a transfer of $346 million for hospitals.  The Governor vetoed $56.5 million in appropriations and reduced the transfer to hospitals by $95 million to $251 million because it would have violated federal budget neutrality, a cap above which the state cannot spend without jeopardizing federal reimbursement for services. Among the largest items signed into law by the Governor were $55 million for road and bridge improvements through the Commonwealth's Chapter 90 program, as well as $100 million for expansion and improvement projects at the University of Massachusetts and the state and community colleges. The economic stimulus bill that passed the Legislature contained $162.3 million in appropriations, $99 million in transfers and $200 million in bond authorizations.  The Governor vetoed $24.1 million in appropriations and $50 million in budgetary transfers. The Governor signed into law the $200 million in bonding, half of which will go into a fund under the control of the Executive Office of Economic Development (EED) to help pay for infrastructure costs to help businesses grow and expand.  The Governor also signed $1.5 million for the creation of an in-state sales force to market Massachusetts to companies around the country. He also signed into law $55 million in cash and bond funds to undertake infrastructure improvements in the revitalized Longwood and Kenmore Square sections of Boston, home to many hospitals, new retail shopping and the Boston Red Sox. Romney also eliminated an enhancement of the historic rehabilitation income tax credit which is paid to developers and which would have increased the grant program from $15 million to $50 million.  If the Governor had let that provision stand, it would have cost the state $44 million initially and then $35 million annually thereafter.   ### Read Supplemental Budget Bill Actions Read Economic Stimulus Bill Actions

DeVos

re: "DeVos does like aspects of the Mitt ROMNEY's Massachusetts health care plan that have the state government playing the role of organizing the overall system"

 

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/06/articles_of_int_23.html

 

Just to clarify, once again:

Health Care

On April 12, 2006, Governor Romney signed legislation to provide health insurance to virtually all citizens of Massachusetts without raising taxes. [9] Working with conservative groups such as the Heritage Foundation and Democrats in the state legislature, Romney developed a plan that stresses personal responsibility in paying for coverage and provides funding for low-income residents. Starting in July 2007, health insurance will be mandatory for all state residents, provided a plan is available to the individual that is deemed affordable according to state standards. Lower income individuals will be eligible for subsidies to purchase health insurance.

As of March, 2006 there were approximately 500,000 uninsured citizens in Massachusetts. Those who are uninsured commonly use emergency rooms as a source of primary care because of their lack of health insurance coverage. [10] Massachusetts hospitals are required to provide care even if a patient cannot pay for it. As a result, hospitals have been left with unpaid bills and mounting expenses to care for the uninsured. "People who don't have insurance nonetheless receive health care," said Romney. "And it's expensive." [11]

In Massachusetts, a roughly $800 million fund known as the "uncompensated care pool" is used to partially reimburse hospitals for these expenses. The fund's revenue comes from an annual assessment on employers, insurance providers and hospitals, plus contributions of state and federal tax dollars. Governor Romney's plan redirects money from this fund to subsidize health care costs for low-income residents of Massachusetts. The Romney Administration consulted with MIT professor Jonathan Gruber to study the state's population and health care needs. They determined that there was enough money in the "free care pool" to implement the Governor's plans without additional funding or taxes. [12] A separate study by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts found that universal coverage would require substantial additional state spending. [13]

The legislature amended Romney's plan somewhat, adding a Medicaid expansion for children and imposing an assessment on firms with 11 or more workers who do not offer health coverage. The assessment is intended to equalize the contributions to the free care pool from employers that offer and do not offer coverage. The legislature also rejected Romney's provision allowing high-deductible health plans.

The new Massachusetts health care legislation establishes a system to provide citizens with private, affordable, market based insurance. The state will work to enroll all residents eligible for Medicaid and subsidize private insurance policies for low income individuals [14] . A sliding scale based on income is used to determine the amount of money a person contributes to their policy. The higher the income, the higher the premium. Individuals who can afford health coverage but chose not to purchase a policy will now be required by law to acquire insurance. Failure to purchase health insurance if an affordable policy is available would result in tax penalties. [15]

The legislation also establishes a device developed by the Heritage Foundation known as the "Connector." The Connector allows Massachusetts citizens to "purchase health insurance with pretax dollars, even if their employer makes no contribution. The connector enables pretax payments, simplifies payroll deduction, permits prorated employer contributions for part-time employees, reduces insurer marketing costs, and makes it efficient for policies to be entirely portable. Because small businesses may use the connector, it gives them even greater bargaining power than large companies." [16]

Romney vetoed 8 sections of the health care legislation, including a $295 dollar per person fee on businesses with 11 employees or more that do not provide health insurance. [17] [18] Romney also vetoed provisions providing dental benefits to poor residents on the Medicaid program, and providing health coverage to senior and disabled legal immigrants not eligible for federal Medicaid. [19][20] The legislature overrode all of the vetoes.

Further information: Healthcare in Massachusetts

Jeff Berkowitz: "I'm as tolerant as the next guy, but... the guy is a Mormon running for President"

http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2006/06/mccain-giuliani-take-on-clinton-obama.html

Governor Mitt Romney [MA]? This guy is here, in part, because of the name Romney. Mitt's dad, George, was going to run for President until he decided to explain away things by saying he had "been brainwashed," on Vietnam . Strike 1. Mitt's claim to fame is that he was elected Governor in liberal Massachusetts, the state that yes, brought us JFK, but of late, it has been Dukakis and Senator Ted Kennedy. Strike 2 . I'm as tolerant as the next guy, but the nomination is not up to me. The guy is a Mormon running for President of the U. S. Strike 3.

Obviously when people make such idiotic post, they are not going to let people respond.

What does what Mitt Romney's dad said have to do with him? Do I really have to ask this question, or does the fact that someone made such a stupid "Strike 1" mean that I am not dealing with a logical person, and should give up right now...

re: "Mitt's claim to fame is that he was elected Governor in liberal Massachusetts, the state that yes, brought us JFK, but of late, it has been Dukakis and Senator Ted Kennedy. Strike 2"

So should we never elect someone from Illinois because we are a very liberal state? Should we only elect people from Idaho or Utah who have never worked with, spoke to, or known a democrat?

re: "I'm as tolerant as the next guy, but the nomination is not up to me. The guy is a Mormon running for President of the U. S. Strike 3."

Yes that sounds very tolerant. You should get a Nobel piece prize or something.

Yellow Dog Democrat (and all who ask if Mitt is Conservative):

If all it takes to be president is having the right beliefs, and passing your litmus test, why aren't you president? Or why don't you run?

You see presidential candidates often try to be "accomplished". Mitt Romney is fricken accomplished. He walked away from Harvard after 5 years with a law and business degree, as the valedictorian cum-laude and all that crap. He chose business instead of law. He started businesses, turned around old ones, and came back and turned around the ones he started, and that failed after he left.

Well, any ways he offers more than just the ability to check your box of saying he agrees with you.

You mentioned his stance on abortion to say he is not conservative. So according to you, a presidential candidate must not only agree with you on every issue but must have always agreed with you sense childhood? There is no room for someone to change even one opinion ever so slightly even if they had a family member DIE of a botched back-alley abortion?

Mitt Romney always said he was pro-choice but believed that states should be able to make up their own minds. He understood that Massachusetts was clearly pro-choice and he said he wasn't going to force his opinions on those who disagree with him! What would you have done if you were running for Governor of Massachusetts? What would you have said if you were running against Ted Kennedy. In my opinion, Mitt Romney is the only creditable politician who can be president during a time when Row vs. Wade is over turned, and each state can choose for themselves. He respects the rule of law, and respected Massachusetts right to be pro-choice.

America will not elect someone who promises to make abortions illegal, however they might elect someone who puts in judges who let the states decide.

Mitt Romney knew in Massachusetts when to fight and when to move onto other issues. So now I'm moving on to other issues.

Mitt Romney is the John Roberts of presidential candidates. Squickey clean of controversy. Fully vetted. He didn't take a pay check for the Olympics or as Governor. Compare this to Hillary and her cattle futures, and all the other unresolved issues of the Clinton presidency that focused on Hillary. Didn't she make off with a lot of furniture from the white house. Mitt Romney is the only person that can run against Hillary. People want a solution to the health care problem. We have two options. Hillary-care 2008 or Romney-Care 2008. They can have Hillary and her cronies give us trail-lawyer care or we can have a market based solution from Mitt. OK maybe I'm over simplifying it. Mitt doesn't even say that his program should be scaled nationwide. That it is a market based program that worked for Massachusetts, but you have your facts all wrong. It is going to cost government less to give the poorest of the poor health insurance with preventative care, than to deal with them in the ER.

Mitt Romney fixed a similar problem in Massachusetts that doesn't get much press. Homeless were staying in hotels if shelters were full. Mitt Romney changed it so that it was a first in first out, instead of a last in first out, and saved the government billions. All this is doing is re-arranging the money that the government already spends so that it will motivate people to do the right thing, naturally, such as buy their own health insurance, stop going to the ER room for a headache because you know the government will pay for it. Mitt Romney is a conservative. He eliminated agencies, government jobs, cut the deficit without raising taxes. He is fascinated with efficiency. He is amazing at cutting fat. W agrees with you on all your litmus test issues that you give, but would you call him a conservative? He is spending like a drunken sailor, but because he said some nice things to the religius right, everyone says that he is ultra-conservative. I can make the case, and will do it latter than George Bush is a moderate, and that Mitt Romney is more conservative than Bush. This can easily be done, and you can do it yourself by looking at their records, if you don't want to wait for me.

I've got to take my kid to the Dr's he has pink eye, and I think I have it too now. But let me start one more issue: If Mitt Romney is not conservative, who is? You know after Keys, you might want someone who is fully vetted, and can win. Is Rudy fully vetted? There are so many skeletons in his closet. And although Bill Clinton was from the right religion (Baptist) republicans would look stupid after saying that someone that maybe we should try and pick someone for the highest office of the country that doesn't go around having terrible affairs—and then we pick someone with one of the weirdest affairs to ever hit the tabloids.  And don't even get me started with the Geezer from Arizona. He has agreed with the democrats on all the wrong issues. Gomer-pile (from Virginal) might be the only "conservator" in your books who is running in 08, but he is trying his hardest just to win a re-election. But why the heck am I ripping on Rudy? He is an American hero, but he doesn't meet your litmus test. It shouldn't be my responsibility to prove that Mitt is more vetted than other candidates. You are the one who said he is not conservative enough, who is a better candidate in your eyes?

Is Mitt a Conservative?

Can't right much now, but wanted to post the link:

http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-me-worry-you-worry.html

Check out the facts here, but let me say that Illinois republicans should be the last people on the planet to ask "Is he conservative enough" after the Keys fiasco.

http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-me-worry-you-worry.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney

You know, the head of the National Republican Governor's association, sounds like a flaming liberal!

--
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)

http://ideastockexchange.com/
myclob.pbwiki.com/
http://www.blogger.com/profile/1811941
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myclob/

Bush and Neil Young

I like Bush and I like Neil Young. I think they are both honestly doing what they think is best... I wish Neil Young wouldn't judge Bush, especially without talking to him.  All these new age hippies don't even practice what they preach, but I still like Neil Young...

He has a song called, "Let's Impeach the President". What is Bush supposed to think about these lyrics? All these people criticize bush, but I can see how he would have made his decision, and I can't say that I know I would have done anything differently...

If Bush is a Christian he will turn the other check, and forgive Neil Young.

What made me think of Mitt Romney was the lyrics,

"We're lookin' for a leader
With the great spirit on his side"

and this reminded me of the quote:

And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a ^aGreat^• Spirit?

27  27 And he said, Yea.

28  28 And Ammon said: This is God.

This shows that we need to speak in the language of the listener. This is why I like Mitt Romney. He speaks in the language of the listener. He doesn't over simplify issues. He has tact. He is respectful of those who disagree with him, and he is able to work with them...

Why does Neil Young like Barak Obama, and can Mitt Romney agree with him? Barak Obama said this, "People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all." This doesn't sound too much different than Mitt.

Barak says, "Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us -- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there's the United States of America."

And... "There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

There is a lot of truth from Obama when he says, "...Go in -- Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach our kids to learn; they know that parents have to teach, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. They know those things" but Obama also says some very  damaging things in his speech, just like Neil Young says some very brash things in his song.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm



Lookin' for a Leader
To bring our country home
Re-unite the red white and blue
Before it turns to stone

Lookin' for somebody
Young enough to take it on
Clean up the corruption
And make the country strong

Walkin' among our people
There's someone who's straight and strong
To lead us from desolation
And a broken world gone wrong

Someone walks among us
And I hope he hears the call
And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all

Yeah maybe it's Obama
But he thinks that he's too young
Maybe it's Colin Powell
To right what he's done wrong

America has a leader
But he's not in the house
He's waling here among us
And we've got to seek him out

Yeah we've got our election
But corruption has a chance
We got to have a clean win
To regain confidence

America is beautiful
But she has an ugly side
We're lookin' for a leader
In this country far and wide

We're lookin' for a leader
With the great spirit on his side

Someone walks among us
And I hope he hears the call
And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all

I find myself liking Romney more for who he isn't than who he is. He is not a foaming at the mouth hater. He is not an over simplifier. He seems above all that. I believe George Bush honestly tried to be a uniter, and not a divider. I think he thinks he is strong enough to take personal attacks without responding. Has this worked for him?

If Neil Young and Mitt Romney talked, would they come to an understanding? Romney doesn't like the blame-America-first crowd. Neil Young says, "America is beautiful, But she has an ugly side " Would Romney disagree? His ancestors were ran from their home, and men, women, children, and the elderly had to walk from Illinois to Utah in the winter. Mormons have bad memories associated with America. But can we all agree that some take the blame-America-first motto too far?

Would Mitt Romney dialogue with all the Big Ego's in Hollywood? Would he look at them as his enemy or would he not judge them? I think Bush judges people in Hollywood to his detriment, and that Hollywood judges Bush to their and our countries detriment. Would Mitt put an end to this? Would he do what the book of Mormon teaches and talk to people in their language? Would he be a christian and not judge those who judge him?

Mitt Romney and Renaissance 2010

Mitt Romney and Richard Daley political allies?

 

It may seem hard to believe, but both individuals have stood up to the teachers unions.  Richard Daley is a proponent of the Renaissance 2010 initiative. To learn more about it go to this website:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_2010

 

This criticism sound just like the criticism that Mitt Romney gets:

 

President of the Chicago Teacher's Union, Marilyn Stewart has openly opposed Renaissance 2010 perceiving it as a machine designed to dismantle public education. She pointed out that charter schools have a history of low-performance on standardized test scores, dismissing them as an alternative to good public education in Chicago. Stewart also pointed out that teachers at charter schools are not subject to the same scrutiny under No Child Left Behind as Chicago public teachers, further supporting her claim that education at the schools in question are a poor substitute.

 

Those who don't know much about Mitt Romney's stance on Education might be interested in what it says about him and education on Wikipeida:

 

In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to Massachusetts' state university or colleges. He has also drafted other education reforms, including the recruitment of 1,000 skilled math and science instructors, bonuses of as much as $15,000 a year for top-performing teachers, and new intervention programs for failing schools.

Additionally, Romney began advocating for a nationwide focus on education through the recruitment of and better pay for math and science teachers, and allowing state governments to take control of underperforming schools after three instead of the six-year period that is now in place.

Speaking of the education provided to minority students, Romney said, "I really believe that the failure of our urban schools and, in some cases our suburban schools, to help minority students achieve the levels that are necessary for success in the workplace is the civil rights issue of our time."

In 1994 Governor Romney pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice. He also supported abolishing the federal Department of Education and favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community (Boston Globe review of 1994 campaign issues Mar 21, 2002)

In April of 2006, Romney outlined his 6-point plan for improving the country's education in an Op/Ed in the Washington Times. [21]

Here is a link to that excellent article that he wrote for the Washington Times:

 

http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060409-101256-6627r.htm

 

In fact, here is the complete text of his article:

 

I was in high school when Sputnik happened. Russia's lead in space frightened us. It also woke us up. President Kennedy issued a call to boost science and math education, to produce more engineers. His vision: Put a man on the moon. America, as always, rose to the occasion.
    One could argue that there have been quite a few Sputniks lately, but that we haven't noticed. Tom Friedman's flat world is tilting toward Asia, taking investment and jobs. Of 120 new chemical plants worldwide with over $1 billion in capital, 50 are planned for China, only one for the United States. Bill Gates says Microsoft's best new ideas are coming from his Asian team. And last year, America bought $160 billion more from China than China bought from us. America is still way ahead, but in the words of Will Rogers: "Even if you're on the right track, if you don't move, you'll get run over." It's time we get moving, starting with education. First, close the Excellence Gap. American 15-year-olds rank 24th out of 29 OECD countries in math literacy and 19th in science. Fifteen years ago, the United States and Asia produced about the same number of Ph.D.'s in math and physical science: 4,700 a year. Today, we graduate 4,400; Asia graduates 24,900. Second, close the Achievement Gap. Failing urban schools are a dead end for too many minority children. This is the civil rights issue of our generation.
    How to close the education gaps? The teacher's unions have their answers: simply spend more money and hire more teachers for smaller classroom size. But the data show that those are not the answers at all. Massachusetts tests our kids regularly; when studentproficiencyis matched with classroom size and per-pupil spending, there is absolutely no relationship. In fact, the district with the highest per-pupil spending in our state -- almost $19,000 per student -- is in the bottom 10 percent of our state in student proficiency.
    We found our education prescription by interviewing parents, teachers and principals, studying actual data, mining lessons from successful districts and charter schools, and digesting the recommendations from commissions and experts. Here are some of the real answers:
    1) Make teaching a true profession. The 19th-century industrial labor-union model doesn't make sense for educating children. Teachers aren't manufacturing widgets. Better teachers should have better pay, advancement opportunities and mentoring responsibilities. Better pay should also accompany the most challenging assignments -- needed specialties like math and science, advanced placement skills and extra effort.
    2) Let the leaders lead. Superintendents and principals must have authority to hire, deploy resources, assign mentors and training, and remove nonperformers. Seniority cannot trump the needs of our children.
    3) Measure up. Over union objections, Massachusetts implemented standardized testing and a mandatory graduation exam. With measurement, we finally see our successes and failures and can take corrective action. Without measurement, we were blind.
    4) Let freedom ring. When parents, teachers and kids are free to choose their school, everyone benefits. Charter schools free of union restraints and, yes, even home schools, teach lessons we can apply to improve standard public schools.
    5) Pull in the parents. Teachers tell us that the best predictor of student success is parental involvement. For our lowest-performing schools, I've proposed mandatory parental preparation courses. Over two days, parents learn about America's education culture, homework, school discipline, available after-school programs, what TV is harmful or helpful and so on. And for parents who don't speak English, help them understand why their child's English immersion in school is a key to a bright future.
    6) Raise the bar. Our kids need to be pushed harder. Less about self-esteem; more about learning. I have proposed advanced math and science schools for the very brightest (the one we have is a huge success, but we need more); advanced placement in every high school, more teachers with serious science and math credentials, and laptop computers for every middle- and high-school student. We've also added science as a graduation exam requirement, in addition to math and English.
    These ideas should sound familiar -- they turn up in virtually every unbiased look at education. The opposition comes from some teachers unions. They fight better pay for better teachers, principal authority, testing and standards, school choice and English immersion. With their focus on themselves and their members, they have failed to see how we have failed our children. But that will change as testing produces data and data debunks the myth that more and more spending is the answer.
    A continuing failure to close the excellence and achievement gaps would have catastrophic consequences, for individual human lives left short of their potential, and for our nation. Students around the world are racing ahead of ours. If we don't move, we'll become the France of the 21st century, starting as a superpower and exiting as something far less. Education must be one of our first priorities, as it was when Sputnik was launched the last time. We succeeded before. We will do it again.

 

            I think it would help Mitt Roomney locally if he was to give his opinion about Renisance 2010, but that might not happen. You see Mayer Dalley is a democrat, and Mitt Romney is the head of the Republican Governors association. So natuarally he is going to need to support Judy Baar Topenka, and perhaps praising Renisance 2010 would be seen as praising a democrat… But I don't see an issue with that. Mitt has worked well with democrats in the past.

In fact I think it would be smart for Judy to praise it, and see Rod squirm!

Local Mitt Romney Friend

We might have found a very good blogger who seems to like Mitt Romney. The main website is: http://www.extremewisdom.com/

Here is the link to a very good post from the websit!

http://www.extremewisdom.com/archives/2006/03/mitt_romney_for.php

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All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)

http://ideastockexchange.com/
myclob.pbwiki.com/
http://www.blogger.com/profile/1811941
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myclob/

Mitt & Judy

RGA LEADERSHIP CONGRATULATES ILLINOIS GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE – JUDY BAAR TOPINKA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Governors Association (RGA) Chairman Mitt Romney (MA) congratulates Republican Judy Baar Topinka on last night's gubernatorial primary win in her effort to become Illinois's next Republican Governor. Topinka will face Democrat Incumbent Governor Rod Blagojevich in the November general election.

"Primaries are never easy, but Illinois Republicans should be proud to be represented by Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. This nomination gives the GOP trusted leadership, necessary for cleaning up Springfield," said RGA Chairman Mitt Romney (MA). "Illinois is an important and winnable state for our party, and we look forward to working closely with Judy in the months ahead."

Topinka won the competitive five-way Republican primary by nearly 6 percent more than her next closest opponent, Jim Oberweis.

"Judy Baar Topinka is a successful, proven leader capable of running the great state of Illinois," said Governor Romney. "She'll make a difference on day one."

The RGA was founded in 1963 and serves as the official political organization of America's Republican Governors. There are currently 28 Republican Governors representing more than sixty percent of the nation's population. In November, 36 gubernatorial contests will be decided.

# # # #

Paid for by the Republican Governors Association

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Republican Governors Association 1747 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Suite 250 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | p/(202) 662-4140 | f/(202) 662-4924

Mitt in Illinois

Although Mitt Romney is not directly running against any democrat in Illinois he is the head of the National Republican Governors association and will be working for Judy Baar Topinka.

I also thought it would be educational to examine the differences Mitt Romney, as he runs for president in 2008, and local politicians.

Mitt Romney vs. Milorad "Rod" R. Blagojevich

Differences:

• Mitt Romney balanced the budget without raising taxes
• Mitt Romney actually resides in the state capital, were Rod Blagojevich lives in Chicago.
• Rod has been continuality been plagued by scandal after scandal. For instance the
• "clout list"
• teacher pension scandal
• This website outlines his mismanagement:
• http://www.ilgop.org/blogs/default.asp?categoryID=117
• Richard Mell
• Mitt Romney respects the founder of the Republican party, Abraham Lincoln.
• He quotes Linoln with these words:
• The heritage of our American nation includes a profound reverence for integrity. In my view, this flows from the character of some of our earliest leaders. In one speech, characteristic of others he would make, Abraham Lincoln took a position that would end up costing him his race for US Senate vs. Stephen Douglas. The country could not survive, he charged, as a house divided, "half-slave and half-free." He knew the likely consequences of his words: "I would rather be defeated with this expression in the speech…than to be victorious without it."
• The integrity that cost him the Senate seat won him the Presidency. It probably also inspired the nation to prevail in Civil War and to free the slaves. To some extent, Lincoln's integrity shaped our young nation's values and defined what it means to be American. The measure of a nation is as grand as its past and present leaders.
• But what I can say is this. And I go back to a speech that Abraham Lincoln made when he was 28 years old, the Lyceum Address, when he said that America has a political religion and that people who are elected to office subscribe to this political religion, which is to place the oath of office, an oath to abide by a nation of laws and the Constitution, above all others.
• And there's no question that as I take the oath of office as governor, and have, that I make that my primary responsibility. And you know, I don't think getting into any particular religion makes any sense for somebody who's serving the public.
• Mitt Romney doesn't take a pay check
• Mitt Romney has visited solders from his state in Iraq.
• Barak Obama a senator from Illinois has a better chance of being president than Rob Blagojevich, even though Governors have more executive experience.
• Mitt Romney speaks French (and tagalong?) and Blagojevich doesn't even speak English well.
• Mitt Romney degrees in Law and Business from Harvard, but chose business and was a very successful businessman while Blagojevich was a Lawyer.

Illinois and Massachusetts

Similarities

• Both are heavily democratic (how much what is the percentage of registered democrats vs. republicans).

Differences

• Illinois is bigger

Mitt Romney and Judy Baar Topenka

Similarities

• She is the only elected statewide official from the Republican Party in Illinois and Mitt Romney is one of the only Republicans in Massachusetts.
• She was a successful busness person establishing her own public relations business, through which she began a career in consulting for various political candidates.
• Both saved near bankrupt organizations. Mitt Romney turned around the Salt Lake Olympics, Bain Capital, and the State of Massachusetts while Judy is in the process of saving the Republican party in Illinois.
• Both have been able to work with Democrats and have tried to avoid name calling and meanness.
• Both have been labeled moderates by some.
• Mitt Romney has some statistic about having the highest percentage of Women in his cabinet, and Judy Baar Topenka is a woman. Does anyone have the details of that statistic?

Problems Mitt might have in Illinois that he might not have in Massachusetts.

• People in Massachusetts are typically more educated than people in Illinois so maybe they resented someone who graduated cum lade valedictorian from Harvard less than people in Illinois.

Questions

• I'm trying to find the tax rate in Illinois vs. Massachusetts and the size of the state debt. Success of education in Massachusetts vs. Illinois.
• What are the main policy differences?
• Massachusetts allows gay marriage.

Mitt Romney and Richard M Daley

Differences

• Richard M. Daley is the leader of a 19^th centry type political machine, just like his father
• Daley thinks he is above the law, and will do whatever it takes to accomplish his will, while Mitt Romney respects the law, even when he disagrees with it. For instance his involved him ordering the demolition of the runway in the darkness of night without approval from the city council and without giving the FAA prior notice. This illegal act resulted in the city being fined US$33,000 (the maximum then allowed by law) by the FAA. Richard Daley seems to also be involved in the hired truck scandals and other unethical jobs for vote's shenanigans typical in Chicago politics.
• Even though swimiing pools kill 20 times as many children as guns, and there are many more guns in the country than swimming pools, Mayor Daley is a tireless supporter of gun control,with a de facto ban on handguns in Chicago.
• Daley successfully lured Gay Games VII away from Montréal to Chicago in 2006

http://illinisans-4-mitt-romney.blogspot.com/

Once a week brain-storming session?

I was thinking that we could all get online once a week and have a brain storming session... Perhaps thursdays at 7:00 central time... We could all get online. 

How would it work?

I know with yahoo instant messenger you can click on multiple people, right click and select "more actions" and "invite to a confrence"

Maybe the first person online, could just invite others to his confrence...Or who ever was the chairperson for the night...

For instance if you go to this group:

I don't think chat rooms are used so much anymore...

For instance if you go to this group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mitt_Romney_For_President_2008/

and click on "chat"

It says, "We're sorry, Yahoo! Chat is not available within Yahoo! Groups."

What do yout think?

Great new article

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/060626a.aspx

Charlie Rose

I recently saw Mitt Romney respond to questions about his faith, and typed up his responce. It was on the Charlie Rose show.

This exchange takes place at about 12:20 into the video at this location:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mitt+romney

(The punctuation and spelling are by me).

Guest host Judy Woodruff: …Religion really played a role sense JFK, do you think it would play a role if you ran?

Mitt Romney: Oh, I think initially. Some people would say, Gosh, I don't know much about your faith, tell me about it. And I'd probably outline the fundamentals. I'm a religious person. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior. But then as you get into the details of doctrines I'd probably say look time out, let's focus on the values that we share. And fundamentally the values of my faith are very much like the values of other Judeo-Christian tradition values. And I think Americans want to have a leader who is a person of faith, but their not going to get terribly involved in the differences of doctrine, as long as the values we share are common.

Guest host Judy Woodruff: John Kennedy, we remember, looked for and found a venue where he could talk about his catholic faith. The Houston ministry is a very famous speech that he gave. Would you look for and are you looking for a place were you can make a statement like this and are you looking for the right place and time?

Mitt Romney: Not really. Not at this stage. You know its possible that there will come some point were there is a question that galvanizes interest and there is an occasion to say something that cuts through the confusion that may develop but at this stage it is kind of hard to predict what will happen. I mean I remember in the race with Ronald Reagan, it was in his debate that he said, "I'm not going to let your youth and inexperience become an issue in this campaign". That sort of put aside his age issue. And there may well be something of that nature. I just don't think Americans will do something the constitution forbids. The constitution says that no religious test shall ever be required for qualification for office in these United States, and I don't think my party or the American people would ever do that.

Guest host Judy Woodruff: But there are some aspects of Mormonism that many Americans might not understand… are these legitimate issues for people to ask you about? 

Mitt Romney: There is a leap of faith associated with every religion. You haven't exactly got those doctrines right, but if you have doctrines you want to talk about go talk to the church, because that's not my job. But the most unusual thing in my church is that we believe there was once a flood upon the earth and that a man took a boat and put two of each animal inside the boat and saved humanity by doing that.

Guest host Judy Woodruff: We are familiar with that story.

Mitt Romney: There are unusual beliefs associated with each faith and I'm proud of my faith and happy to talk to people about it but fundamentally my race for governor, my race for senator before that, and if I run for nationally its going to be about the values that I have, and the values that I think should be emphasized in this country and answers to the kind of challenges that we face, because I believe that America is at a critical time, and I believe those are the types of issues that people will focus on.

I wish those who are trying to tear down Mitt Because of his faith would listen to this quote, by one of our church leaders:

When you go into a neighborhood to preach the Gospel, never attempt to tear down a man's house, so to speak, before you build him a better one; never, in fact, attack any one's religion, wherever you go. Be willing to let every man enjoy his own religion. It is his right to do that. If he does not accept your testimony with regard to the Gospel of Christ, that is his affair, and not yours. Do not spend your time in pulling down other sects and parties. We haven't time to do that. It is never right to do that.

Contributor, August 1895, pp.636–37.

The Barnyard: Mitt Romney, The Talk of The Town.

The Barnyard: Mitt Romney, The Talk of The Town.



Did a blog google blog search for Mitt Romney and came accross a good site. Check it out!

Re: Mitt Romney Google Video

Actually you don't need to buy it. the 99cents is for a "high quality" version . . . but I think that even that one is streaming and not downloadable . . . not sure.

That video is a nice one (Charlie Rose show). I've got a link to it on my blogsite along with links to C-Span, Heritage Foundation, etc with some other streaming videos.

Jeff

On 6/23/06, myclob <mike.laub@gmail.com> wrote:

There is only one video now, and it costs $0.99. Are there better videos available?

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mitt+romney

Mitt Romney Google Video

There is only one video now, and it costs $0.99. Are there better videos available?

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mitt+romney

Blind Hatred

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3953898

"Recently, two separate Massachusetts National Guard units were deployed to Iraq. Our governor, Mitt Romney, was in Utah raising money for his presidential campaign. I am appalled that he made this choice. I would have expected him to send off our state's volunteer service members as they left behind loved ones and put their lives in harm's way for this war. At his next fundraiser, ask him how many of his gubernatorial campaign promises he kept while in service to Massachusetts. From where I sit, the answer is none. As his recent actions point out, his blind ambition to become president override what should be his priorities as governor of Massachusetts. Paul Russo Malden, Mass."

Wow, "Appaled". Strong words. "Blind Ambition?" Which is more accurate. That Mitt Romney has blind ambition as shown by this action, or that this author, Mr. Paul Russo, has blind hatred. There are many reasons to be appalled. There are many reasons to accuse politicians of Blind Ambition, but is this a rational accusation? Well, every day in Massachusets there are funerals. Teachers, cops, fire fighters get killed. Perhaps it would have been better for Mitt to have gone to one of those funerals. With each politician there are oportunities to accusse people of "blind ambition" but things like this work both ways.

Was Bill Clinton negligent when he was getting serviced by an Intern, when he should have been dealing with Iraq, or Osama? You see this type of argument goes both ways. The question is does Mitt Romney campaign more than other politicians? If you want to be logical about it, you would have to ask yourself this.

What would make the tribune publish such a stupid article? Is this really news? Is this open, fair and balanced? Why wouldn't they enter this into the debate, in such a way that people can respond? Was that really news? Why would they publish that?

Re: "At his next fundraiser, ask him how many of his gubernatorial campaign promises he kept while in service to Massachusetts. From where I sit, the answer is none." For instance, what campaign promice did he make that he did not keep. This is actually one of Mitt's strong points. He caries around a list of campaing promices in his jacket, and checks them off when he completes them.

What a Joke.
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All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)

ROMNEY RECOGNIZES EMPLOYERS FOR HIRING VETERANS

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department State House Boston, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000 MITT ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2006 CONTACT: Eric Fehrnstrom Felix Browne (617) 725-4025 Linnea Walsh (DWD) (617) 727-6573 ROMNEY RECOGNIZES EMPLOYERS FOR HIRING VETERANS Governor Mitt Romney today joined state and federal officials at a State House ceremony to thank the hundreds of employers across Massachusetts who have pledged to hire veterans. "I want to salute the Massachusetts employers who have hired or plan to hire veterans this year," said Romney.   "As our troops return home, we remain mindful that the best way to honor their service is to help them to reenter the workforce." Veterans in the younger age group experience higher rates of unemployment than non-veterans and often face unique employment challenges.  Many veterans in this group enlist in the military straight out of high school and need additional training before entering the Massachusetts workforce.  Veterans are also more likely than non-veterans to have a disability, an additional challenge.  Massachusetts is home to nearly 500,000 veterans. "There is nothing more important than helping employ and train our veteran population," said Secretary of Veterans' Services Tom Kelley.   "These employers are a key to helping reduce the high unemployment rate faced by our young veterans."      "Even under the best of circumstances, returning veterans are likely to need assistance to successfully transition back into the workforce," said Director of Workforce Development Jane C. Edmonds.  "I am grateful that Massachusetts employers recognize the same qualities we do in our veterans and service members,' said retired Brigadier General Samuel Shiver, assistant adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard.  "This is truly a win-win; veterans will get more opportunities and in return, Massachusetts employers will get dedicated, professional employees." ###

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney

This website needs some work. It needs sources, additional material, etc. Put the best quotes toward the top.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney

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All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)

Mitt Romney on National Review Online

“National Review Online is the place to go on the web for insightful, intellectual and honest debate. National Review has done an incredible job of assembling the best and brightest authors and contributors in the country to keep us informed up to the minute, always with a healthy dose of humor.

Besides, where else is a conservative in Massachusetts to go for his news?”

— Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts

Disagreement

I don't think its bad that those who support Romney can disagree with each other. If two people always agree, then one of them is not needed. It shows we think independantly, and I think It means Romney support is healthy.

Healthy debate is good.

Ann Romney

I started this document, however it has very little info. Maybe that is OK, but take a look and see if you have anything to add!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Romney