The Peasantville Blog

Mitch McConnell and the Republicans Fight to Raise Taxes on Workers and Real Job Creators!!

Michael Tomasky at The Daily Beast writes:  "...Democrats would have employers pay 3.1 percent (rather than the 6.2 percent they now pay) on the first $5 million of their payroll. Also, if employers add to their payrolls, they would pay no payroll tax on new hires. So the new bill is specifically aimed at helping the job creators. The total cost is $255 billion."  A real program aimed at increasing employment and putting more money in the pockets of labor and their employers - opposed by Republicans.  Not only that, they want to end the 2% payroll tax reduction enjoyed for the last year or so. 

This makes hollow all the Republican noise about helping America work.  It also reveals, in their vernacular, "job creators" as code for the spectacular multi-decade failure that is and was "trickle down."  Tomasky goes on to write, "Mitch McConnell unsurprisingly announced his opposition to it Monday. And yes, this is the same Mitch McConnell who said in January 2009 that a two-year suspension of the payroll tax “would put a lot of money back in the hands of businesses and in the hands of individuals,” and that “Republicans, generally speaking, from Maine to Mississippi, like tax relief.”"

 

The Ernest Fletcher Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

Ernest Fletcher admitted last night in the NKU debate that he works with "the judge-executives that supported us." That statement, standing alone,is an admission Ernest has practiced rabid partisan politics in his administration -- and isn't that why he got in trouble in the first place in his criminal hiring scandal, a scandal resulting in his plea bargain and 28 pardons (and every accepted pardon a implicit admission of guilt)?

Ernest -- the lesson here is the first thing one does when he finds himself in a hole is STOP DIGGING. Ernest apparently does not comprehend and has called in the heavy equipment to accelerate the excavation.

By the way, there are EIGHT (8) county judges in N. Ky -- how many of those judges supported Ernest Fletcher? Ernest only counts to THREE in N. Ky -- How many of them would recall seeing or hearing from Ernest in the last four years? How many of them have been denied funding for needed programs and infrastructure by the Ernest Administration because Ernest's feelings were hurt? Instead of the appropriate policy of 'Kentuckians Helping Kentuckians' Ernest chose, from Day One, to practice
"Republicans helping Republicans," the clear policy of the Ernest Administration. Sounds like a rehab program, doesn't it? Ernest,however, is beyond help.

This is exactly why Steve Beshear is going to defeat Ernest Fletcher in a landslide in November - Kentuckians are disgusted by Ernest's partisan politics,his 'Republicans Helping Republicans' policy and his gang, including those in the Senate, David Williams, Dan Kelley and Damon Thayer. And this is why the Republican Party will suffer defeat after defeat in the future - they have a demonstrated lack of ability to lead.

Ernest Fletcher, Outgoing Governor of Kentucky, has some 'splainin' to do.

Outgoing Governor Ernest Fletcher is a candidate in search of an issue.  He has proven he'll say or do anything to make a poll point.  Fletcher has jumped on the anti-illegal immigrant bandwagon; everyday he’s fabricating/exaggerating/lying about Steve Beshear and Kentucky Central; he’s flip-flopped on casinos in Kentucky, he’s handed out big photographs of checks in taxpayer money to buy votes in various parts of the state and he’s given away hundreds of millions in incentives to Peabody Coal for something I predict will go absolutely nowhere, as it did for the Germans in World War II.  I am firmly convinced that if Ernest thought he could make a point by supporting segregation, he would support segregation. He has certainly latched on to the present day version in attacking Hispanics.  Is he looking for a school house door to block?

This demonstrates, to me, the desperation in the Fletcher campaign.  Ernest is swinging for the cheap seats at every wild pitch in a desperate hope to connect - and he strikes out again and again. Not only that, it’s his negatives and his erratic behavior– Ernest did everything but foam at the mouth in his recent appearance debating Beshear on KET’s Kentucky Tonight (see the 9/17 program) Program; he pushed Beshear’s spokeswoman in the presence of the media in a fit of pique; Ernest’s $1,000 max contributions received are received from individuals with strong connections to contractors with whom Ernest’s Kentucky does business, and some of those contributors may very well have committed a Class D felony in Kentucky, not to mention a federal offense.  And just when will we learn the names of those contributing to Ernest’s secret Legal Defense Fund, or, to quote Steve Beshear, Ernest’s ‘plea bargain fund?’ 

Finally, I ask one specific question of Ernest Fletcher – has anyone associated with Elmo Greer & Sons, one of the largest highway contractors in the state, or the brothers who run the company -- Elmo Lee Greer, Jerry Greer and Rex Greer, contributed to that ‘plea bargain fund?’  Recent reports indicate a lot of people with connections to them have made the $1,000 max contribution to Ernest’s campaign – is Ernest prepared to answer the questions a lot of Kentuckians are asking, or will he continue to hide the names? We want to know now.

A Message from Kentucky's Democrat Chairman, Jonathan Miller

I received this email today from Jonathan Miller. Ernest goes to Frankfort and screwwwwws the pooch.

Fellow Democrats, Ernie Fletcher has a secret. Surprised? In 2006, Fletcher set up a secret slush fund to pay his legal fees stemming from the 18-month merit hiring investigation that led ultimately to his indictment on charges of Criminal Conspiracy, Official Misconduct, Prohibition Against Political Discrimination and Complicity. Of course, Fletcher pleaded the 5th in court and provided a blanket pardon to his political cronies. To this day, the names of individuals and corporations that have given money to Fletcher's legal fund remain secret. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, even Fletcher's own Lt. Governor has problems with the Governor's secret slush fund: "I think the governor would probably be best served by making a full disclosure, especially during the campaign year...." Last week we learned that, while Fletcher and the Kentucky Republican Party have tried to scare the public into forfeiting their right to vote on the issue of limited expanded gaming, they have taken tens of thousands of dollars from Vegas casinos they condemn. But according to Fletcher, none of these interests have given to his secret slush fund. How do we know? I guess we'll have to take his word on it. Fletcher has also denied taking money into his secret slush fund from Peabody Energy after calling a special session that would grant the company millions in tax breaks. How do we know? I guess we'll have to take his word on it. This is the same slush fund that paid Caroline Pitt Clark, a defense lawyer, whom Fletcher appointed to the Public Service Commission just two weeks ago. Unlike Fletcher, Democrats trust Kentuckians. That is why Steve Beshear fully disclosed his own personal finances. That is why the Kentucky Democratic Party fully disclosed the results of an internal financial review. There is only one question remaining: Will Ernie Fletcher trust the citizens and stop hiding his secret slush fund donors from Kentuckians? It's time we hold Fletcher accountable and ask him to finally release his secret defense fund contributions and contributors. What is he hiding? Call Fletcher today, at (502) 607-8683 and ask him. Or send an email to Fletcher's campaign at contact@erniefletcher.com. We also need your help to communicate this issue to voters across the Commonwealth. We own a large sign outside party headquarters along I-64 in Frankfort. Thousands of commuters pass it everyday. We want you to come up with our next message for Fletcher. Right now it reads: ERNIE: WHO GAVE TO YOUR LEGAL DEFENSE FUND? Please email your suggestions, 40 character limit, to sign@kydemocrat.com. Let's work together to bring real leadership and change to Kentucky. Thank you, Jonathan Miller Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Paid for and authorized by the Kentucky Democratic Party PO Box 694, Frankfort KY 40602 • 190 Democrat Drive, Frankfort KY 40601 Phone 502.695.4828 • Fax 502.695.7629 www.kydemocrat.com Contributions or gifts to the Kentucky Democratic Party are not tax deductible.

Hate Groups Rally in Frankfort to Promote Bigotry

Groups that co-opt the term 'family' in their names so as to garner unmerited credibility make me sick, from the Family Foundation to the Family Research Council to Focus on the Family. Whose family do they represent? Certainly not mine and not any family with which I am acquainted. And this issue and their stance proves that the Family Foundation is nothing more than another right wing hate group. Today's protestors in Frankfort would be appropriatey dressed in hoods and robes. Perhaps they could burn a cross, too.

Ernest Goes to Frankfort is a Bust!!

Ernest Fletcher, Kentucky's worst governor in history, has had his head handed to him by Democrats in the Kentucky House.  Ernest called a 'special session',' one that requires an emergency. Ernest thinks his re-election is such an emergency.  Jody Richards and House Democrats don't think so.  So they adjourned.  Ernest was last seen running with his tail tucked 'tween his legs.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Exposed

Senator Mitch McConnell squealed when this series appeared in the Lexington Herald Leader.  Seems money is free speech, claims McConnell, unless it's someone else's money being used for a purpose he fears -- the light!! Anyway, it's a great series and I suggest you check it out for yourself.

Kentucky State Police Detective Louie Podunavac Cut a Deal - Do you suppose he testiLIED on occasion?

"Kentucky State Trooper and Narcotics Detective:

I stole $181,442 and fraudulently called in prescriptions for hydrocodone and Lortab to CVS and Wal-Mart pharmacies, falsely claiming they were authorized by a local doctor."

When did this quy last testilie?

Kentucky State Police Detective arrested on Drug Charges-- oh, 'former' KSP detective since he quit last week. 

"A former Kentucky State Police detective who retired last week has been arrested on drug charges.

Louie Podunavac Jr., 41, of Flatwoods, was charged with four felony counts of fraudulently obtaining drugs, said Major Lisa Rudzinski, spokeswoman at the state police headquarters in Frankfort."

Get up!! Get up!! So I can shoot you!!

It's a badge, not a hunting license.