Category Archives: taxes

Rep. Steve Austria’s Position on the Financial Regulatory Reform Bill

By Steve Austria

This week, the Senate may consider Senator Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) financial regulatory reform legislation. The House of Representatives passed a financial regulatory reform bill last fall. The legislation proposed by Senator Dodd would essentially overhaul our financial system and place new, sweeping regulations on the banks.

The bill includes a $50 billion fund for bailing out firms Washington considers “too big to fail”, which will be paid for by levies on banks. It would also create an independent regulator housed at the Federal Reserve, which would essentially codify the bailouts used by the Fed to directly infuse money into firms like Bear Stearns, AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Concerns have arisen that this mechanism may simply add another layer of federal bureaucracy, allowing Washington to pick winners and losers in the financial industry.
By Rep. Steve Austria

While I agree that there needs to be more transparency and oversight within the financial industry and protections for consumers, more government involvement that only puts the American taxpayer on the line is not the only answer. Furthermore, giving more power to the Federal Reserve, a non-elected entity, to distribute funds to various firms, deviates away from its original mission, which is to provide oversight and guidance of monetary policy. Rather than adding to a government backstop, we need reform that strengthens consumer protections, helps protect the solvency of existing firms, and brings consistency to the regulatory structure.

Source: Email newsletter, April 23, 2010.

Xenia Tea Party A Success for Liberty

On Saturday April 24, the first Tea Party began at 4 pm on the steps to the historic Greene County Courthouse. As historic as justice is for all within the walls of that symbolic building was the success of first local Tea Party in Greene County. It was fitting that it took place in Xenia, the seat of Greene County governance.

If memory serves, the first Tea Party held in Boston Massachusetts initiated the successful resistance to corrupt government, its many threats and usurpation to both the inherent and positive rights of our British colonial ancestors, and finally to the independent sovereign statehood as well as our national compact consisting of both social contract and divine covenant.

Xenia Tea Party was a rally for the restoration of principles upon which the sovereignty our state is secured and federal governance is limited. That is, it was a rally for the restoration of the rule of Constitutional law and of making elected representatives and unelected officials accountable to it for the good of all citizens.

Xenia Tea Party also was a platform to those seeking election to local, state, and federal offices. As a platform without due coverage by the media, ordinary citizens with extraordinary abilities and determination presented their qualifications, ideas, and/or positions on issue. Of course, everyone I heard wants to represent the rest of us in the effort to bring about real change: the restoration of strict Constitutional governance, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty. The Tea Party also provided stump for representatives of organizations like Ohio Freedom Alliance, Ohio Open Carry rights organization, and Stop Xenia Tax, all of which are working with state and local officials to the same ends.

The candidates included John Mitchel, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent Steve Austria. Mitchel spoke briefly about the continued corruption of our current federal government and a pending investigation of Steve Austria. His priorities are government reform to control earmarks and spending, tax reform for fair and equitable taxing, and imposing term limits.

Scott Rupert is running for Ohio Senate. He is an independent from Northern Ohio. He represents people who value a commonsense approach to resolving societal and political issues rather than party agendas. In other words, Rupert is not a elitist who is out-of-touch with ordinary hard working people. One good reason to vote for him–he says he won’t seek to impose entitlements on us by means of trillions more in taxes and spending. In return, fewer families will likely face bankruptcy and maybe even retain more of their hard earned income.

One of the speakers not campaigning for office was Mickey Denin. In his speech entitled The United States Has Become The Nation It Rebelled Against, he made the following comments:

The colonists’ vision of limited government, taxation without representation was a problem, but so was representation without taxation—that is, voting by those who were at the mercy of the wealthy and thus easy to bribe. Colonial leaders quoted the English jurist Blackstone’s accepted view that if those “in so mean a situation as to be esteemed to have no will of their own” were given the vote, they would be tools of the powerful. Colonists discussed the right level of property qualification, one that would exclude the dependent while encouraging voting by all those with a “stake in society.

Yet in our society today we have large burdensome government, with career politicians who essentially hand pick their successors through the party system. These career politicians have figured out how to bribe the poor to earn their vote. Now nearly half of all Americans pay no federal income taxes and the only stake they have in society what they receive from society not what they contribute to society.

Maybe that is why many liberals are so intent on taking away our guns.

After his discussion about the progress of the movement in Ohio for the right to openly own and carry guns, Josh Diaz of Ohio Concealed Carry gave a rather lengthy talk on why Americans must elect representatives who will at least reduce, if not end, the tax burden imposed by all levels of government.

John Anderson is a libertarian running for Congress. He had a more detailed plan that is worthy of consideration, which can be read by going to johnandersonforcongress.com

While Anderson was the first speaker, Andy Myers of the Ohio Freedom Alliance was the last. He briefly shared the various bills the Alliance has either been passed or are in the legislative process, all of which can be seen at the Ohio Freedom Alliance website.

Not last and not least was the host of the first successful Tea Party in Xenia, Virgil Vaduva, who is also running against incumbent Alan Anderson for Greene County Commissioner. Vaduva has been proving his dedication to upholding and enforcing our laws. For instance, the election laws Xenia officials were violating. His ability to get things done is another of his abilities. For more information about him and his campaign, go to Virgil Vaduva for Greene County Commissioner.

Xenia Tea Party Rally On For Sat. April 24 With Greene County Commissioners Approval

While the Tea Party rally planned for tomorrow, April 24
in Xenia was to go on as planned without an official meeting permit,
today Greene County officials notified the organizers that they
informally accepted the rally and will not interfere with it or
prevent it from taking place. Lisa Hale, Director of Risk Management
for Greene County said that the meeting approval policies would be
reviewed for future changes and that due to the timing, the “request
for use of the Courthouse area on 4/24/10 cannot be formally approved, [but] we will not attempt to prevent the event or take action for unauthorized use.”

“I want to thank the Greene Count Commission and Mrs. Lisa Hale for
being professional and working to facilitate this meeting without
further controversy, and for respecting our constitutional right to
free assembly,” said Virgil Vaduva, organizer of the rally. “The
meeting organizers will abide by all laws and ordinances and will
encourage all attendees to do likewise, clean up the Courthouse
grounds after the meeting and avoid damage to the lawn and landscaping surrounding the Courthouse,” said Vaduva.

The organizers of the rally ask all attendees to abide by the following guidelines:

– no sale of food or other items at the rally
– no use of alcohol
– avoid the lawn or contact with other landscaping, and try to use the
paved areas as much as possible
– no placement of signs or banners on the Courthouse building
– no throwing of trash on the ground; clean up the area when you leave

The rally will take place at 4:00 PM at the Greene County Courthouse
in downtown Xenia, and will feature the following speakers:

– John Mitchell, Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, http://reformcongress.com
– John Anderson, Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Congress, http://johnandersonforcongress.com
– Mickey Denen, Medical Doctor and homeschooling father
– Phil Herzing, Dayton Tea Party and Liberty Groups Coordinator, http://daytonohioteaparty.com
– Andy Myers, Ohio Freedom Alliance, http://ohiofreedom.com
– Josh Diaz, Ohio Open Carry, http://ohioopencarry.org
– Virgil Vaduva, Republican Candidate for Greene County Commissioner, http://votevirgil.org/about

A Seth Morgan campaign coordinator informed the organizers that a
previously scheduled event will unfortunately not allow him to attend;
a number of other speakers’ confirmations are pending as well.

“Some light rain could interfere with the rally, but we are
encouraging everyone to attend, bring umbrellas, their flags, and get
to know their candidates while cheering for freedom and liberty. The
temperatures will be in the 70’s, so please come join us,” said Virgil
Vaduva.

The Greene County Courthouse is located at 45 North Detroit St. in
Xenia, Ohio; free weekend parking is available along the streets
surrounding the Courthouse building, and in many locations throughout
downtown Xenia.

All questions about the rally should be directed to Virgil Vaduva at
937-687-8683

Campaign statement on the April 24 Rally in Xenia

The following statement from Virgil Vaduva was released regarding the April 24, 2010 Tea Party scheduled for 4:00 PM at the Greene County Courthouse in downtown Xenia, OH:

I received several telephone calls and emails regarding our plans to meet despite the fact that Greene County officials denied our application for holding an event on the lawn of the Courthouse. The catalyst for this rally was the Court’s dismissal of the lawsuit filed against the City of Xenia over illegalities related to the passage of Issue 7, a 28.5% income tax increase for Xenia residents. The suit dismissal prompted the urgency of our action and decision to hold this rally as soon as possible, before the May 4 election when the levy is on the ballot. Greene County’s policy makes this kind of political dissent and demonstration impossible, and it makes no exception for our circumstances. It is therefore important for us to meet before May 4, at this public location, which is the symbol of Law and Justice in Greene County, Ohio.

I also recognize that the requirements placed upon the use of public spaces by the Greene County Commission are not as a result of state or local law, and they are instead the result of policy and procedure created to allow for smoother operation of county facilities and departments and for the stewardship of public spaces. As such, it is unfortunate that it is being used by bureaucrats now for the purpose of stopping a Tea Party meeting from taking place.

As with any government intervention in the lives of its citizens, this policy is having the unintended effect of denying the First Amendment rights of Greene County residents willing to express their political opinions, dissent and petitioning of their government. In fact, the intended consequence seems to be that of denying political opponents the right to dissent, oppose and criticize, something which is a fundamental right expressly protected by our Constitution, a principle that is uncompromisable and unchanging.

My belief is that our country is where it is today as a result of a series of compromises made over a long period of time, compromises which add up to a large loss of freedom for Americans, loss of rights to our property and income, and a large amount of government control over our lives. As a nation we are at a crossroads; the time for government saying “no” to us is over, the time for us to say “no” to government has come. Further compromise of any kind, on any issue related to free speech, right to assembly, right to own property and educate our children as we see fit will erode the U.S. Constitution out of existence. This is our opportunity to send a message to both Republican and Democrat politicians and bureaucrats, at any level of government, and let them know that while we will always obey the law, we are unwilling to accept their policies and stifling of our freedom and liberty.

I call on the Greene County Commission, especially my opponent, Commissioner Alan Anderson to reverse the denial of our application and waive the 14 day requirement which is interfering with our Constitutional rights and our desire for peaceful assembly and speech. As we do not need access to any county buildings or equipment, and we do not need security, we will carry on with the meeting as planned, hoping that before April 24 the Commission will reverse this decision.

We hope to see everyone on April 24 at 4:00 PM at the Greene County Courthouse.

Greene County Republican Bureaucrats Deny Tea Party Rally, But It Will Held Sat. April 24

After Tea Party activists have attempted to work together with County officials to schedule a Tea Party rally for Saturday, April 24, the Greene County Commission together with the Greene County Administrator Howard Poston denied a request from citizens to meet for a peaceful rally on the grounds of the Greene County Court in Xenia, Ohio. The organizers were notified by Lisa Hale, Director of Risk Management that the meeting application did not meet the county’s 14 day notification policy and requirements and therefore cannot take place: “After consideration of the points of our Public Use Policy and the time requirements therein, we are unable to approve your request received yesterday 4/19/10 for use of the Courthouse on Saturday April 24, 2010.”

The rally planned for April 24 would be a “call to arms” for Xenia and Greene County residents and a call to stand up to out of control regulations, government abuse, tax increases and political corruption, all which cross political parties and ideologies.

The meeting anticipates music, speakers like Seth Morgan, John Anderson, John Mitchell, local Tea Party activists and supporters, and other local politicians and candidates, and it was planned as a political rally and as a meeting to express political dissent. As it was decided upon on the spur of the moment, Greene County officials turned down the request under a “Permit of Use” clause which requires a two week notification for the use of County facilities and grounds. The policy does not seem to make exceptions for meetings and rallies falling under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protecting “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

“The word ‘permit’ implies that we need the government’s permission to protest, demonstrate and rally. We do not. The Greene County Commission is stifling peaceful political speech under the guise of facilities use and bureaucratic policy.” said Virgil Vaduva, the organizer of the rally, and candidate for Greene County Commissioner.

Vaduva said he explained to County officials that the meeting will take place on a weekend, when the building is closed and it will not interfere with official County business, and that organizers are not asking to use County buildings or facilities, rather just the open, public space in front of the County Courthouse; the officials refused to reconsider their decision.

“The meeting will go on as planned and we will be there at 4:00 PM on Saturday,” said Vaduva. “The lawn of the Greene County Courthouse is a public area funded by taxpayers, the rally is a peaceful assembly for the purpose of political speech, with families and children attending, and is protected by the Constitution of the United States. Greene County does not have the authority to stop families and citizens from meeting peacefully, from petitioning and criticizing their government, and discussing the issues facing our communities,” he said.

On the Greene County Commission are seated Alan Anderson, an incumbent and opponent of Virgil Vaduva in the Republican primary elections on May 4, Marilyn Reid, Executive Chair of Greene County GOP and Rick Perales; all Commissioners are Republicans.

Lisa Hale declined to say what will take place if the meeting goes on without a permit from Greene County, and how several hundred attendees will be affected should they decide to attend the rally.

Virgil Vaduva can be contacted at 937-687-8683
Lisa Hale can be contacted at 937-562-5213

Tax Freedom Day 2010 Is April 9

Ohio Tax Freedom Day—the day on which Americans have earned enough money to pay all federal, state, and local taxes for the year—was celebrated yesterday. Today, the official Tax Freedom Day falls on the 99th day of 2010.

Americans will work well over three months of the year before they have earned enough money to pay the nation’s tax bill for the year, and they will pay more taxes in 2010 than they will spend on food, clothing and shelter combined.

This year’s Tax Freedom Day is one day later than in 2009, but more than two weeks earlier than in 2007. The shift toward a lower tax burden since 2007 has been driven by three factors:

(1) The recession has reduced tax collections even faster than it has reduced income.
(2) President Obama and the Congress have enacted large but temporary income tax cuts for 2009 and 2010, just as President Bush did in 2008.
(3) Two significant taxes were repealed for 2010 as part of previous legislation, the estate tax and the so-called PEP and Pease provisions of the income tax.

The shift toward an earlier Tax Freedom Day since 2007 is not necessarily cause for celebration. That’s because Tax Freedom Day does not count the deficit even though deficits must eventually be financed. Since 1948, when Tax Freedom Day was first calculated, the difference between what governments are spending and what they’re collecting has never been as great as during 2009 and 2010. If Americans were required to pay for all government spending this year, including the $1.3 trillion federal budget deficit, they would be working until May 17 before they had earned enough to pay their taxes—an additional 38 days of work.

This May 17 date for a deficit-inclusive measure is the second latest since World War II. Only in 2009 was it later, when an unprecedented budget deficit of close to $1.5 trillion produced a deficit-inclusive date of May 21, fully 43 days later than Tax Freedom Day.

Source: The Tax Foundation, March 30, 2010.

Virgil Vaduva Running for Greene County Commissioner

As you may already know, I am currently campaigning as a Republican
candidate for Greene County Commissioner, here in Greene County, Ohio.

If you have been keeping track of my campaign and articles published
at http://votevirgil.org you may already know that there are serious
problems in Greene County, many which have been caused by the
Republican politicians which have had free reign of our county for
decades. This unchecked control on power has led to corruption,
scandals, high taxes and out of control building codes which are
having a negative effect on our lives. There is no excuse for it, and
this time there are no Democrats to blame.

This is why I’ve decided to run for Commissioner and hope to be able
to bring about positive changes inspired by not just my faith, but
also by the love of freedom and liberty I gained during the first 20
years of my life in Communist Romania and during the anti-Communist
revolution of 1989. I have already made substantial progress against
local high taxes with a very public lawsuit filed against the City of
Xenia, seeking several injunctions to stop the city from using public
funds to promote the passage of a tax levy, something which is against
Ohio Elections law. You can read more about it here:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/xenia-sued-for-misusing-taxpayer-money-by-commissioner-candidate-576230.html

But there is a lot more work to be done. The Greene County GOP does
not help conservatives get elected. Fortunately, while they control
party finances they cannot control you the voter, so I can only appeal
to people like you, who are willing to challenge the status quote and
help average people, without a political background get elected and
take on the system. You can help me by voting for me on May 4, 2010, by forwarding this message to all your friends and family members who vote in Greene County, and by making a small donation to my campaign or by putting one of my yard signs in your yard. All help, no matter how small will make a difference, and as few as 50 votes can make the difference.

I would be honored to receive your vote during the primary elections
on May 4; and should you consider any financial help, it would go to
positive use with my campaign, for fliers, yard signs and telephone
calls. You can also make an online donation of any size using PayPal
at the following link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2CFJULBRFV2AE

At last, I want to encourage YOU to run for office next time around.
We can no longer sit back and let politicians plunder our income and
property, dictate how we can live our lives, raise our families, and
educate our children. So I hope I will even see you on the campaign
trail soon.

Fee Increases Are Not A Budget Solution

by Representative Jarrod B. Martin

Ohio’s economic crisis has presented lawmakers with the unique opportunity to examine state spending, rein in costs and create a more efficient, effective government structure. However, many of Ohio’s leaders chose to maintain the tax-and-spend status quo by placing a heavier financial burden on the people of our state.

Instead of creating a sustainable state budget, Governor Strickland and House Democrats raised taxes and created more than 150 new fines, fees and penalties to support Ohio’s ever-growing government spending. Specifically, these fees will affect each and every Ohioan because they will be imposed on everything from court costs and birth certificates to real estate licenses and hospice applications.

One way the Democrats are nickel-and-diming their way to a balanced budget is through a $20 late fee for renewing your vehicle registration and driver’s license. Since October, 400,000 individuals have been forced to pay this late fee, which has fattened the budget by more than $6 million to benefit the tax and spend party that is in control.

In times of economic hardship, state government should shrink its spending to fit its means, not grab at constituents’ pocketbooks to feed its growth. For this reason, I cosponsored legislation to repeal this $20 BMV late fee on motor vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses and motorcycle endorsements. House Bill 428, introduced by Representatives Ron Amstutz and Terry Boose, has bipartisan support in the House and will help keep Ohio’s government accountable to the public.

It is my belief that the government should serve the people, not the other way around. The day we start squeezing petty dollars out of hardworking families is the day we should finally commit to cost-saving measures to rein in state spending. There is no excuse to justify robbing the taxpayers of money that could have been used to put food on the table or help pay their bills-especially when there are so many alternatives on the table.

Since the beginning of the General Assembly, House Republicans have proposed numerous bills that would streamline state spending, reduce Medicaid waste and audit state agencies. Most of all, these bills would hold Ohio’s elected officials accountable for their expenditures and ensure that each dollar spent has a dollar’s return. Together, our bills would increase government efficiency by saving the taxpayers more than $1 billion annually, which would not only put our state on track toward a balanced budget but also eliminate the temptation to raid the wallets of our constituents.

Ohio has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. It is long overdue that state leaders stop pilfering money from individuals who are just trying to make an honest living and provide for their families. As always, I will continue the fight for an accountable, efficient state government.

Imperial Health Care Anyone? Witness the Lord’s Day Debacle

If Democrats pass the Obamacare bill, America will enter further into the domination of global socialism. Contrary to elite members like Obama, Clinton, and Soros, our constituted nation was not founded on the consent of the duped by the deceiving salesmanship of power-mongering tyrants. It was founded on the coterminous principles of the informed consent of the governed and a covenant with the Providential Creator–God of truth. If that consent is based on cleverly devised half-truth or lies, the consent was not valid or legal.

If our supposed-representatives in DC have not even read the bill in order to determine its costs and benefits, it cannot be said that they have represented anything for any constituents. Their party line Yes or No vote means nothing. The only real meaning it has is a vote for the party agenda. Based on such a vote, no law can be enacted that violates our rights and Constitution.

That is what the Obamacare legislation does. Dictators dictate law. Obamacare law purports to dictate to free citizens by coercing them to purchase one of three healthcare insurance policies at the point of criminal prosecution, financial penalties, and possibly (at some point) imprisonment. By ultimately eliminating a free market in healthcare, the Democrats will force the same kind of failed socialist health care system experienced by Canadians and Europeans.

The grossly false claim that the best health care system and economy in the world will allow thousands of people die without a socialist take-over of the healthcare system is countered by the testimonies of Canadians and Europeans who would have died had they not come to America for treatment. They would have died like many others because they had to wait for their turn to receive medical treatment.

Just as many more unborn children will certainly be killed under Obamacare, many more elderly can be expected to die because of a decline in quality care.

Moreover, small businesses will be adversely affected by the mandates imposed on them by Obamacare. Small business owners and many in the middle income tax bracket will end up paying up to a quarter of their income on health care costs as structured by Obamacare, according to American Enterprise Institute Fellow and Physician Scott Gottlieb.

Health care costs will not decrease because of Obamacare; they will increase because of the various costs to insurers, businesses, and their inflationary costs passed on to consumers. Everyone will pay more for less.

Because the price tag of Obamacare is over a trillion dollars, all will pay higher taxes either directly or indirectly. On top of higher taxes and cost of goods, the increase in federal debt will trickle down through the loss of jobs, reduction of income levels, decrease in number of small businesses, or some combination of them. As financial analysts keep warning, more government debt means fewer investment dollars, which in turn means less capital for current and start-up businesses. Thus making it a real possibility that America will enter into a European-like level of value-add tax socialism that once characterized the Roman Empire. Rome fell in part because it was overburdened by financial debt, by many over-taxed angry subjects, and by ever-increasing political corruption.

Pax Americana may be next.

I pray the gracious, the powerful, and the providential God defend and protect America from the political scheme aimed at winning votes in November’s election at the expense of all our economically common good. Long live the true and supreme Lawmaker, King, and Judge.

(See also my previous posts on how health care reform legislation effects small businesses and its funding of abortion.)

Former Air Force officer to challenge incumbent Steve Austria in May 4th primary

John Mitchel, former Air Force officer, is seeking the 7th Congressional District seat. He will be the sole challenger in the Republican primary to first term incumbent Steve Austria. Mitchel is not new to politics. He challenged Bob Taft for governor in 1998, and George Voinovich in the 2004 Republican primary when he received more than 195,000 votes.

In response to the announcement, Mitchel said, “America is at the abyss, and we are not far from the point of no return. Since 1983 we have had a series of career politicians representing the 7th Congressional District including Mike DeWine, Dave Hobson and Steve Austria. It’s time for that line of succession to end.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mitchel stakes out what he says are three irreconcilable differences with the incumbent: His passion for government reform, term limits and tax reform, specifically the FairTax.

“It all starts with government reform. Recall the 1994 Contract with America when the Republican caucus drafted a bill that declared Congress must live by the same laws as the people. That was a virtual confession that 435 congressmen and women were operating outside the law, but nothing changed,” commented Mitchel. “It’s time to bring citizen legislators to Washington; term limits and a tax code that is fair, simple and pays the bills will help make that happen.”

At A Glance:

Name: John Mitchel; Age: 62

Education: USAF Academy graduate; MBA, Michigan Tech, masters degree in economics, Wright State University

Career: Air Force Lieutenant Colonel; served more than 22 years as instructor pilot and in the defense acquisition corps; currently systems analyst at Wright Patterson AFB

Top issues: Government reform, term limits, tax reform