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Ron_Paul_For_Connecticut
02-13-2010, 07:34 AM
Republican senatorial candidates lay out agendas
Published: Saturday, February 13, 2010

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By DAVID HUTTER

HARWINTON — Republican candidates touted smaller government and individual rights at the Harwinton Republican Town Committee’s Lincoln dinner Friday at Fairview Farm Country Club.

The U.S. Senate candidates included Rob Simmons, Peter Schiff and Linda McMahon.

Simmons blasted U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for planning to prosecute accused 9/11 terrorist mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court. Criticizing the economic bailout, Simmons said: “It is not stimulting the economy — it is stimulating the government.”

Economist Peter Schiff opposes the government’s $700 billion bailout of Wall Street firms and and encourages capital investment.

Linda McMahon discussed building World Wrestling Entertainment with her husband Vince from a tiny family-run operation to a massive global brand. While they suffered through a bankrupty filing, they persevered, she said.

Republican candidates for the U.S. House in Connecticut’s Fifth District included State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, businessman Mark Greenberg and lawyer Kie Westby. Republican candidates who did not take part include Justin Bernier, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan; small business owner Bill Evans Jr., and Air Force veteran Dan Carter. These candidates are vying against independent candidate John Pistone and incumbent Democrat Chris Murphy.

Caligiuri advocated for ending earmarks and enacting term limits. “Not only are earmarks a source of waste, they are a source of corruption,” he said. “Peter Schiff is right: we need to slash the federal economy.”

“I want to grow the economy — not through phony stimulus packahes — but through tax cuts,” Caligiuri said.

Greenberg recited the start of President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettyburg Address,” his famous speech from a Pennsylvania battlefield during the Civil War. Greenberg cited his experience in real estate and in starting an animal shelter foundation.

“We need real-world businesspeople in Washington, D.C.,” Greenberg said. He repeated his vow not to accept a Congressional pension, as “this is meant to be a citizen’s democracy.”

Westby discussed his love of the president who was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. The Thomaston lawyer discusses his mother’s giving him an autobiography of Lincoln.

“Lincoln represents the best of the Republican party: he cherished personal freedom and limited government,” Westby said. “When you celebrate Lincoln, you celebrate freedom.”

Jason Welch, a lawyer from Bristol and candidate for the 31st state House seat, referenced the unalienable rights of the Declaration of Independence.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are in danger,” Welch said.

State Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-8, lauded his fellow Republican candidates. A Canton police sergeant, Witkos implored listeners to spread support among their friends and neighbors.

“The tide is on our side,” Witkos said.

State Rep. John Piscopo of the 76th district railed against massive government. For instance, he opposes a measure forcing companies to explain their terminations of employees to a Hartford bureaucrat.

“We want to make our own decisions, Piscopo said. “We’ve got to get government off our back.”

Pat Wall, the former Harwinton probate judge and a candidate for the newly devised 12-town probate district, said he is not accepting money.

Candace Jones-Pacholski, the Harwinton Republican Town Committee chairman, thanked everyone who came to the dinner and supports the party.

David Hutter can be reached by e-mail at dhutter@registercitizen.com.

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2010/02/13/news/doc4b7634149e171539313622.txt