Lincoln's Thanksgiving Address

As I prepare to depart for the Thanksgiving weekend, I thought it would be useful to share with you President Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving address. These days we no sooner put away the Halloween decorations that our thoughts turn to Christmas, without pausing to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving.

I believe President's Lincoln's address is as profound and relevant today, as it was during the Civil War. I'm sure you will agree after reading these words that we should all be proud to belong to the party of Lincoln.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by his divine law, nations, like individuals, are subject to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins; to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole of the American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every pad of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

---President Abraham Lincoln
16Th President of the United States of America

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

State Representative Tim Moore

State Representative Tim Moore will be holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 6pm to 8pm at the home of Natalee and Kevin King in Standish.

$35 per person or $55 per couple.

Call Jason at 517-648-9274 to reserve or e-mail jwadaga1824@hotmail.com

Special guest: Tom Casperson, candidate for 1st Congressional District.

Hope to see you there!

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

2008 Election Cycle

Some important dates for the 2008 election cycle.

December 10, 2007 voter registration closes for Presidential Primary

January 15, 2008 Presidential Primary ( Wishful thinking at this point?)

February 7, 2008 County Conventions-Location to be announced. (Likely County Building)

February 15-16, 2008 Michigan Republican State Convention & State Committee Meeting
Location TBA
Election of National Convention Delegates
Election of National Committee Members

March 24, 2008 Filing deadline for incumbent judicial candidates

April 29, 2008 Filing deadline for non-incumbent judicial candidates

May 13, 2008 Filing deadline for Precinct Delegate candidates
Filing deadline for non-judicial partisan candidates

May 14, 2008 County wide birthday party for the chair of the BCRP!!!

July 7, 2008 Voter registration closes for State August Primary Election

July 17, 2008 Filing deadline for district library board candidates

August 5, 2008 State Primary Election

August 12, 2008 Filing deadline for local school board and community college
Trustee candidates

August TBD, 2008 Michigan Republican State Convention location TBA

September 1-4, 2008 Republican National Convention Minneapolis/St. Paul

October 6, 2008 Voter registration closes for State General Election

November 4, 2008 State General Election

Cut Taxes! Not Freedom!

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

Source: Michigan Republican Party

Except for the May 14th date. That was my idea.

CTV Political Leadership Academy

Rob Macomber Director of Candidate and Party Assistance reports Citizens for Traditional Values will hold a political leadership academy.

The class will be held in Lansing, November 30Th - December 1st as a cost of $75. National campaign trainer Mark Montini will be speaking, along with many Michigan legislative and political leaders.

More information can be found at: http://ctvmichigan.org/events/pla/default.htm

Space is limited.

This is a excellent opportunity for those seeking political office, as well grassroots activists.

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

Presidential Primary

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to update regarding some local activity related to the upcoming Presidential Primary.

County Commissioner Vaughn Begick has agreed to be the Chair for Mitt Romney for President in Bay County. Vaughn is currently working on letters to the editor and needs a location for phone banks.

If you want to help Vaughn contact him at VaughnPAC@aol.com

Joe Sylvester our Secretary reports Duncan Hunter for President will be opening up their state headquarters in beautiful downtown Bay City. Joe reports this should be happening around the 19th. It's likely Congressman Hunter will be in the area and holding local events.

For updates you can contact Joe at cheneygun@gmail.com

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

Eat at Brooklyn Boys Pizzeria

612 East Midland St.
989-894-5560

Commissioner Mike Wooley responds to Pawelski complaint (PDF File)

State Party Updates

There have been some recent staff changes at the Michigan Republican Party. Anthony Lewis has left to join the district staff of Congresswomen Candice Miller.

The Candidate and Party Assistance department has been restructured. Dawn Wade will serve as Events Coordinator. Dawn can be reached at dwade@migop.org or 517-487-5413.

The Political Department has two new Deputy Political Directors: Kelly Harrigan Deputy Director for Voter Programs and Coalitions. kharrigan@migop.org

Dan Blough Deputy Director for Field Operations and Logistics. dblough@migop.org

The State Committee Meeting will be held November 9th & 10th at the Lansing Radisson.

State Convention will be held February 15th & 16th- location TBA. County Conventions will be held Thursday, February 7th at 7:30pm. Calls to the County Convention are mailed 30 days prior. I will be getting an informational packet in December.

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

November Meeting Notice

The next meeting of the Bay County Republican Party will held on November 19, 2007 at American Legion Post #18, 700 Adams St. Bay City

Operations Committee will meet at 5:30p.m. followed by dinner at 6:00p.m. Meeting starts at 7:00p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Matthew Lance
Chair
BCRP

Nancy and I Agree!

In the spirit of bipartisanship, I would like to thank Democrats in Congress for reducing their work week. They plan to take Fridays off when the 110th Congress begins in mid-January. (I did miss the part about them taking a pay cut due to the shorter work week, but I'm sure that's a oversight on my part.) Seems to me the less time they spend in Washington, the fewer opportunities they have to take money out of our pocket books and damage our economy. The bad news is the Democrats plan to spend more time in their districts. The Stones were right, you can't always get what you want!

Lately, the Democrats have had a hard time getting their message out. Dave Helfert, of Rep. Neil Abererombie's (D-Hawaii) office recently wrote the Democrats message lacks emotional appeal and the "Republicans have been kicking our rhetorical butt since about 1995." Hard to believe the party that feels your pain among other things, does not have an emotional message. After all, there is not one of their schemes that does not end with the line, "It's for the kids." And what's not to like about a message that sees America as heartless and the cause of every ill in the world. From the War on Terror to so-called Global Warming, it's all our fault. Now what's not appealing about that message?

Hopefully, with fewer working days in Washington DC we should be able to avoid Chairman Rangel's tax legislation. Mr. Rangel would have us return to the marriage penalty, apply a surtax to our adjusted gross income, make us one of the highest taxed developed nations, and cost our manufacturing sector their Section 199 deduction, and that's just the start.

I hope you will join us in 2008 in sending the message challenged and emotionally devoid Democrats on a permanent vacation.

Cut Taxes! Not Freedom!

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

Sources: David M Herszenhorn, "Democrats Plan a Shorter Workweek", New York Times,
October 27, 2007

Mike Soraghan, "Internal Dem Memo Faults Party Message", Hill.com, October
26, 2007

Michigan Republican Party, "Ten Things Democrats Don't Want You to Know About
The Mother of All Taxes Hikes", MIGOP.Blogs.Com, October 26, 2007

Upcoming Events

I wanted to share with you two upcoming events that may be of interest.

Fall 2007 Griffin Policy Forum
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
7:30 to 9:00p.m.
Plachta Auditorium

Now What?

Managing the budget crisis while promoting a positive future for the state of Michigan

Forum panelists

Mike Bishop
Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate

Craig Deroche
Minority Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives

Andy Dillon
Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives

Mark Schauer
Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate

Moderator
Tim Skubick
Host, WKAR's Off The Record

More details at www.chsbs.cmich.edu/griffin

I have also been invited to attend the Mackinac Center for Public Policy's Distinguished Visiting Speaker's Program featuring Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 from 4:00p.m. until 5:00p.m.

His topic will be, "Reform vs. Revenue: Inside the Budget Negotiation"

I can bring friends, family or co-workers, however, seating is limited and I have to RSVP before Oct. 30, 2007.

So if anyone is interested in attending, please contact me.

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

House Speaker Andy Dillon Victim or Speaker

Webster's Dictionary: Victim n. A person who is harmed or killed by another; a living creature which is slain and offered as sacrifice; one harmed by circumstance or condition. victimize v.

The Detroit Free Press is at it again. Running with the 40 year old Democratic playbook of "I'm a victim." Poor Speaker Dillon (according to Mr. Chris Christoff of the Free Press Lansing Bureau) since the so-called State budget deal has lost 15 pounds, alot of sleep, and maybe a few friends. Mr. Dillon is living on protein drinks because the poor guy can't eat due to stress. To add insult to injury, he is now the target of a recall campaign. To add to his suffering he has an Oct. 31 deadline to cut $435 million in wasteful spending. Sorry, I have to stop typing now. Too many tears in my eyes.

OK, I'm back. As I read this tale of woe, I learned Mr. Dillon was shocked to learn the public was mad as hell about $1.3 billion in tax increases. Mr. Christoff shared this concern, gently informing the reader Dillon's "promising political career" has been derailed. Naturally in the face of public outcry, Speaker Dillon can't think of one thing he would have done differently. Well, how about this. Don't raise our taxes!

Why! Why! Has this happened to a guy described by Mr. Christoff as six-feet-four, Jimmy Stewart thin, cool, intelligent, bringing to Lansing a confounding mix of brains, good looks, and naivete. Is Mr. Christoff in love? (Thank God, there is no media bias) I'll tell you why they want this guy to be a victim. You can't find fault with a victim, you can't debate with a victim, and don't you dare suggest that a victim had anything to do with their own circumstances, which by the way for the Speaker adds up to $106,650 annually with benefits. It's not Andy's fault. It's term limits and mean Republicans that have done Andy in.

So, remember when you get hit by the tax bite. No one will write about how much sleep you are losing, how much stress you are under paying the bills, or worry about how you are putting food on the table. You aren't the victim of tax hikes, just the guys and gals that have to write the checks.

Cut Taxes! Not Freedom!

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

PS: If Andy can't make it as Speaker maybe he could star in a remake of one of Jimmy Stewart's Films. "Mr. Dillon goes to Washington and raises your taxes there too."

Bully!

Amendment 1 The Constitution of the United States of America

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Everyone should read an article published in the Tuesday, October 23, 2007 edition regarding events in the 2nd Ward City Commission race.

Kevin Novellino owner of Brooklyn Boyz Pizza has re-enter the race. Mr. Novellino withdrew from the race after being, "bullied" by 7th Ward Commissioner Marie T. Kurzer. Seems the Commissioner had not liked the fact that Mr. Novellino had posted in his business a campaign poster for his candidate of choice in our Mayor's race. (Interesting to note what the Times failed to report, the fact that this Commissioner is actively supporting the other candidate in this race and the fact the Bay County Democratic Party has endorsed this candidate.) So, Ms. Kurzer as a "friend" and "fellow business owner" offered him some "advice". Remove the sign or there will be a "boycott" of your business. With a friend like that who needs an enemy!

Mr. Novellino, not only removed the campaign sign but also got out of the race. However, the boycott remained in place and now Mr. Novellino has had to take a second job to make ends met. (Likely a third when he gets hit with Jenny's tax increases) Of course, this is nothing new in the world of Bay County Democratic politics. How many of us will not put a Republican sign in our yard, fail to go to a GOP fundraiser because we don't want our name on the list, or not take part in local elections because we are afraid of the impact on our businesses and families. We could all learn a valuable lesson from Mr. Novellino, the only way to deal with a bully is to stand up to them!

I would like to applaud Mr. Novellino's courage in exercising his first amendment rights and to bringing the light of day the tactics used by the Bay County Democratic Party to suppress these rights. Of course, I'm sure the ACLU will be filing a suit on behalf of Mr. Novellino because of the assault on his freedom of speech by an elected official sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. It will also be very warm in a tropical location when this happens.

So, the next time your on Midland street stop in at Brooklyn Boyz Pizza and have a slice or a whole pie, and tell them the Bay County Republican Party sent you.

Cut Taxes! Not Freedom!

Matthew Lance
Chair
Bay County Republican Party

PS: This is not an endorsement in the 2nd ward race. John Augilar owner of Bailey's Bar and Grill and the Academy Center is also running. May the best man win!

Meeting on Monday

Meeting Notice

Our next meeting will be on 10/15/07 at the American Legion Post #18 at 700 Adams St.

Operations committee will meet at 5pm, dinner will be served at 6pm, and the general meeting will begin at 7pm.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Welcome

Welcome to the official blog of the Bay County Republican Party. Be sure to add your name and email on the bottom to join our email list and check back for updates.

-The Bay County GOP