Thursday, October 30, 2008

6 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY!

For the first time, Floyd County voters have an opportunity to elect Superior Court Judge No. 3.

Our judiciary will be served by Maria's presence, both in her professional excellence and in her modeling of judicial virtue. We are deeply thankful for her model of personal integrity, fairness, excellence and service, regardless of the issue or the circumstances.

We urge all in Floyd County to cast their VOTE for Maria Granger for Superior Court Judge!

VOTE Maria Granger

NOVEMBER 4TH

Superior Court Judge No. 3

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

FROM THE DESK OF TODD ROKITA ~ INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE:

Dear Freedom Of Speech,

Thank you and your thousands of readers for contacting our office. Our office is currently working with federal, state and local officials in reviewing possible instances of voters registration fraud by ACORN or others.

Our voter registration process has several layers of protection from fraudulent voter registrations entering the system.

It first starts with local voters registration officials reviewing every voter registration form, and challenging it's validity if it appears to be fraudulent.

Then, our Indiana Statewide Voter Registration System reviews and compares each record to information at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health, and the federal Social Security Administration, to ensure that registrant is a real person, not deceased, and is eligible to vote.

Finally, the local county officials place all voter registration applications in a 7-day pending period that helps to ensure a registrant's address is real.

Indiana's voter ID law also provides protection against voter registration fraud by requiring a person to show a picture ID, issued by the State of Indiana or the federal government, at the polls to vote.

Thank you again for your readers emails. Know that the Office of Indiana Secretary of State will continue to protect the integrity and fairness of our election process. If I can be of assistance to you or to your readers in the future, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Todd Rokita
Indiana Secretary of State

Saturday, October 18, 2008

MORE OF OBAMA LIES:

Obama continues to claim that 98% of all small businesses make less than $250,000

"Not only do 98 percent of small businesses make less than $250,000, but he also want to give them additional tax breaks, because they are the drivers of the economy," Obama said "they produce the most jobs."

This seemed intuitively incorrect so we looked it up.

Here are the facts:

Only 42% of small businesses make less than $250,000 - not 98%.

Obama will raise taxes on 58% of all small businesses! McCain will cut taxes on 100% of them.

We do our homework here at Freedom Of Speech!

This information came from hhtp://www.entrepreneur.com/sbe/glance/index.html

"Look it up yourself."

Thursday, October 16, 2008

To: Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, Senator Evan Bayh, and Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter:

Investigate Election Irregularities NOW!

We should not have to remind you that you are elected officials and American citizens first and members of a political party second.

And we urge you to begin an immediate investigation of election irregularities that go far beyond what would be considered typical and random; irregularities that are to benefit of a particular candidate for President of the United States.

Reports have recently surfaced that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now [ACORN] may be committing massive voter registration fraud.

Presently a number of states have already initiated investigations in reference to these allegations. In addition various news organizations have uncovered an unusually larger number of foreign contributions to the Obama campaign.

"The FEC has compiled a separate database of potentially questionable overseas donations that contains more than 11,500 contributions totally $33.8 million."

Taken as a whole, these potential irregularities rise to such a level that our electoral process could be compromised.

Elections are one of our nations most pristine institutions.

Americans must be secure in the notion that our elections are fair and pristine.

There, we are demanding that federal investigation into these allegations begin immediately. After the election would be to late.

Sincerely,

Freedom Of Speech Staff


We encourage our readers to contact the following officials:

Indiana Secretary of State - Todd Rokita at: constituent@sos.IN.gov

Indiana Attorney General - Steve Carter at: Constituent@atg.in.gov

Senator Evan Bayh at: bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

Political correctness has taught people to lie to pollsters rather than be forced to explain why they're not voting for the African-American.

This is how two typical voters might answer a pollster's question:

Average Obama voter: "Obama." [Name of average Obama voter: "Mickey Mouse."]

Average McCain voter: "I'm voting for McCain, but I swear it's just about the issues. It's not because Obama's black. If Barack Obama was a little more moderate -- hey, I'd vote for Colin Powell. But my convictions force me to vote for the candidate who just happens to be white.

Say folks, do you know where I can get Patti LaBelle tickets?"

The burning question this Thursday morning: Is Joe the plumber a racist?

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

FREE TRADE

I have been a Republican all my life but, I will never vote for another Free Trading Politician of either party, who wants to FREE TRADE with any third world country. Where the wages are 1/40th of the wages paid to American workers.

I call this the destruction of America.

I believe in FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS, but only with countries that have a comparable wage scale as America. Countries like Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan and America should have their own Free Trade Agreement, that's the way it use to be when America was great.

All the Republicans have pushed this Free Trading Idea since the 1980. But, they could not pass these free trade agreements because most of the Democrats did not believe in free trade with all third world countries.

Now your asking yourself why free trade is so bad. Well the answer is NO it is a great idea if you Free Trade with countries that have similar wage rates and benefits, like Canada, England, France, Germany Japan and America.

Here is why Free Trade with Third World Countries can never work:

The first time one of these large International Companies close one American factory and moves the manufacturing operation to China to save company manufacturing cost, every one of the other American manufacturing companies must also do the exact same thing to compete.

This is a never ending process, where America in time will loss it's entire manufacturing base to the lowest paying third world country, which is now China.

There is an ever big reason why we must get out of these free trade agreements and that is because China is a communist country that twenty-five years ago the American Government wouldn't permit any American company to even sell them a computer.

Look at China now; they make nearly every item sold in America. But, make no mistake about it China is still a communistic country.

What the HELL are we to do about that?

Do you know what they call a country that has no manufacturing base and they have no control over it's currency when it starts to fall; " They call that a Third World Country". Watch the U.S. DOLLAR and you're going to see America in crisis, one after another.

From 1994 to 2007, net manufacturing employment has declined by 3,654,000 jobs during this period.

Are the American people going to wait till America go into a total collapse?

Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac are two Large Financial Mortgage Bank that handles about 5.2 Trillion Dollars worth of America Home Mortgage Companies that are also backed up by the faith and good will of the American Government.

I watch the Stock Market everyday and nearly all our Large Financial Banks are going Bankrupt. Everyday they talk about another Financial Bank or Institution that goes into default.

Seventy percent of the American people think we are going down the wrong track.

So, trust me... America has some rough times ahead for sure.

Contributor: Jackie

Friday, October 10, 2008

RACE FOR THE CURE

When: Saturday, October 11, 2008

Where: Waterfront Park Festival Plaza, Louisville Kentucky

Race Day Schedule:

6:45-8:15a Last Minute Registration & Packet Pick-Up, Visit Sponsor Booth

8:15a Pre-Race Program: Survivor Celebration & Parade of Pink, Sponsor Recognition, Race Start-Up Directions

9:00a 5k Race Begins [Timed racers first]

9:15a 1-Mile Family Walk Begins

10:30a Post Race Program: Awards & Prizes, Music & Dance Celebration!

Race Course:

The 5k [3.1 miles] USATF certified course will begin and end at Witherspoon and Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville. The pre and post Race activities will take place in the Waterfront Park Plaza.

Freedom Of Speech is proud to announce we have 100 family, friends and staff members participating in this years 13th Annual Komen Louisville Race for the Cure.

Happy Birthday Janice...

Take action now against breast cancer!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

NEWS FLASH: DO YOU REALLY NEED TO SLEEP ON IT DOUGIE?

First of all, "we told you so!"

Mr. Mayor, do you want to tell the taxpayers the bad news, or do you want us at Freedom Of Speech to break the news?

Nope, We will!

Is it true that DLGF notified our controller today, Mrs. Garry, to CUT $600,000 off the 2008 General Fund Budget?

Is it true that New Albany has been directed to CUT $700,000 off our Street Department?

Was it stated by Controller Garry at last nights City Council meeting that "We have drained all of the pots?"

Who is going to FUND the 2008 Budget Bailout?

We hope it is not... "WE, THE TAXPAYERS!"

Sunday, October 05, 2008

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE "NO" NOVEMBER 4...

The state wide referendum will read:

Should the assessing duties of the elected township assessor in the township be transferred to the county assessor?

Yes__ or No__

Why you should Vote NO:

On-time property tax billing is a culmination of a year's worth of work of locally elected officials. The process can be separated into two stages:

Assessment-to-Budget and Budget-to-Tax billing.

"Because these two stages are closely tied, delays in any these steps in these two stages can have an affect on the timing of property tax bills. "

The first step in on-time billing is timely completion of the assessment process, also known as trending, a function of the office of the county assessor.

Once the county assessor has completed trending, a report called a "ratio study" is submitted to the state for review and approval.

Once the ratio study is approved, the assessor submits the gross assessed values to the county auditor, who then applies deductions and exemptions to determine the final net assessed values of properties.

The following five reports contain information which was provided to Freedom Of Speech under the Freedom Of Information Act through the Department of Local Government Finance.

To show their progress in completing the 2007-pay-2008 assessment process and why you should "Vote NO" November 4, 2008:

ABSTRACT REPORT:

* Date Data Due: 3/15 of the Pay year
* Number of days late: 48 days

BUDGET ORDER:

* Date Data Due : 2/15 of the Pay Year
* Number of Days Late: 77 days

PARCEL:

* Date Data Due: 10/1 of the Assessment Year
* Number of Days Late: 214 days

PERSPROP:

* Date Data Due: 10/0 of the Assessment Year
* Number of Days Late: 80 days

RATIO STUDY:

* Date Data Due: 6/1 of the Assessment Year
* Number of Days late: 244 days

Source: Department of Local Government Finance

This is an injustice to us as taxpayers!

Voting NO insures your STATE CERTIFIED Assessor can continue to:

* Maintain over 20,000 residential, industrial & commercial properties
* Hear appeals

* Maintain Homestead Exemptions

* Mobile Home Assessments

* Handling all transfers of deeds & sales disclosures

KEEP YOUR TOWNSHIP
ASSESSOR WORKING
FOR YOU...

"VOTE NO"

Source: The Evening News & The Tribune 9/28/08

Freedom Of Speech is asking you our readers to "VOTE NO" based on the FACTS we EXPOSED on the New Albany Township Referendum in the November 4th Election.

Is this why we have NOT received our Property Tax Bills for 2007?

Saturday, October 04, 2008

REGULAR AMERICANS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

Here is what our government does not understand about regular Americans.

"We are not afraid of the pain." Yes, the economy is slowing, we are in a fiscal crisis, and in the middle of a war.

As our service members sacrifice life and limb, our government wants us to support a plan that drastically abandons the principals that we hold dear.

For what, because we will lose money and lifestyle and comfort?

Good for those who said NO, let the pain come, "We will Survive."

Our only question is:

Will we still be America when it's all over?

"Hey, Treasury Secretary Paulson, come Bailout New Albany."

Thursday, October 02, 2008

APPROPRIATION...TRANSFER OF FUNDS

From time to time, especially toward the end of the year, you should carefully review your spending to see if it might exceed appropriations. If so, here are your options (aside from stopping the spending!)

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION

An additional appropriation is a net increase in appropriations in a department or fund. EVEN IF A DEPARTMENT OR FUND INCREASE IS OFFSET BY DECREASES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR FUNDS, IT IS STILL AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION, NOT A “TRANSFER.”

The additional appropriation must be advertised in a public notice at least ten days prior to a public hearing. At the public hearing, or afterward, the fiscal body may approve the additional appropriation.

If it is approved, it must be reported to the Indiana Department Of Local Government Finance. They will review the paperwork, mainly to assure there will be enough cash available to cover the additional spending. If not, they should notify you within 15 days. Usually, cities require two meetings to process any ordinance, including an additional appropriation.

Because of the time needed to advertise, conform to fiscal body meeting dates, and obtain State approval, you should not wait until December to seek an additional appropriation. AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, YOU SHOULD SUBMIT ANY REQUEST BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER, AT THE LATEST. The earlier the better!

TRANSFER

A “transfer” is defined by the Indiana Code as an increase in one or more major line items that is offset by decreases WITHIN THE SAME DEPARTMENT.

For example, if a department wishes to increase Personal Services and decrease Supplies by the same amount, it would be a transfer. A transfer requires approval of the fiscal body, but no advertisement, no public hearing, and no review by the Indiana Department Of Local Government Finance.

What is meant by “major line item”? Usually, they are designated as follows:

100 Personal Services

200 Supplies

300 Other Services And Charges (or, Contractual Obligations)

400 Capital Outlays

Don’t forget. If there is an overall increase in a department or fund, even if it is offset by a decrease in another department or fund, it is an ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION, not a TRANSFER.

OTHER, MINOR SHIFTS

If the change is simply a shift between detailed line items within a major category, then there is no statutory requirement to treat it as a formal transfer.

For example, if there is a need for an increase in appropriations for maintenance supplies that can be offset by a decrease in office supplies, within the same department, there is no statutory requirement to obtain approval from the fiscal body.

However, local rules or customs may nevertheless require these changes to be reported to the executive, to the fiscal body, or to the fiscal officer for local review and approval.

SALARY ORDINANCE

Strictly speaking, the salary ordinance has nothing to do with appropriations, but it is worthwhile to look at both as you review year-end expenditures. Amounts in the salary ordinance cannot be exceeded, even if enough appropriations are available, and vice versa.

*******

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

A MESSAGE TO OUR U.S. SENATORS:

How about Dave Ramsey's Common Sense Plan?

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer.

Common Sense Plan 1:

A. Insurance:

Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance. Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.

B. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two things:

1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 6% fixed-rate mortgage.

a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal cost into the balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a chance to keep their homes.

b. Cancel all prepayments penalties to encourage refinancing or the sale of the property to pay off bad loan. In the event of foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while working with the borrower-again limiting foreclosures and ruined lives.

2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEO's and executive team members as long as the company holds these government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming executives from being paid when they don't do their job.

c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion-a small fraction of the current proposal.

Market TO Market:

a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.

b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on failing and ailing banks-and it cost the taxpayers NOTHING!

III. Capital Gains Tax:

a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous-and immediate-liquidity in the markets.

Again, this cost the taxpayers NOTHING.

b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement investments that go up instead of down. This is not a time for envy, and it is not a time for politics.

It is time for all of us, as Americans, to stand up, speak out, and fix this mess!

We have a few questions first that we would like to see addressed by the news media concerning the Economic Crisis:

1. How much will my taxes increase to pay for the bailout, rescue and/or buyout plan?

2. Please explain what the "horrific" consequences will be if a whatever-its-now-called plan is not enacted?

From what we understand McCain wants to cut my taxes.

3. Is that still relevant if we have to pay for this plan?

And, Obama wants to initiate several costly programs.

4. How is that going to work if we have to pay for this plan?

Contact Senator Evan Bayh and tell him "Hell NO" to the $700 billion Rescue at:

202-224-5623
202-228-1377 Fax
http://bayh.senate.gov/contact/email