North County Candidate Forum Draws Crowd at Abacoa
Seated at a long table, 10 candidates for 3 north county races (Congress 18, Senate 32, and House 82) answered questions from moderator Michael Williams, Emmy winning anchor of WPTV’s “To the Point“.
Williams’ show, which airs on Sunday mornings, is a “must-watch” for county residents who follow local politics and issues. Over the last few months, he did on-air interviews with 5 of the 6 CD-18 candidates (Nick Wukoson will be on July 13), giving him a unique perspective on their positions and styles.
Unlike many grassroots forums where the organizers provide the questions, Williams did his own thing, although sticking to topics he thought would be of interest to the audience. Debt, taxes and Obamacare were covered as you would expect, but he also spent time on All Aboard Florida, money in politics, and helping local businesses, and took audience questions on immigration. The candidates for the Florida Legislature were also asked about Common Core.
Participating in the event were all 6 Republican candidates for Patrick Murphy’s CD18 (Carl Domino, Beverly Hires, Brian Lara, Alan Schlesinger, Calvin Turnquest and Nick Wukoson), Senate 32 incumbent Joe Negron, Republican opponent Brandon Cannon with Democrat challenger Bruno Moore, and House 82 incumbent Mary Lynn Magar who will face Democrat Mary Higgins in November.
Clockwise from upper left: Carl Domino, Beverly Hires, Brian Lara, Alan Schlesinger, Calvin Turnquest, Nick Wukoson, Mary Lynn Magar, moderator Michael Williams, Joe Negron, Bruno Moore, Brandon Cannon.
The CD18 candidates gave predictable answers on debt and taxes (too high and won’t raise them, incentives to repatriate foreign capital), but they differed some on Obamacare. While most were for a “repeal and replace” strategy, promoting competition across state lines and health savings accounts, a few answers stood out. Carl Domino spoke of some of the “good” things in the Affordable Care Act and did not want to “throw out the baby with the bathwater.” Calvin Turnquest pointed out that advertisements for car insurance are all over the TV channels, but not health insurance, since competition is very limited in a government controlled system.
To help local businesses, Alan Schlesinger would allow individual health care deductions on the front of the 1040, so small business would get a similar break to large corporations.
Not surprisingly, all 10 of the candidates are opposed to the widely despised “All Aboard Florida” as presently proposed, and argued among themselves as to who was first to point out that it should be called “All About Freight”. It should be noted that Democrat Patrick Murphy is also now against it. Carl Domino pointed out that it is not accurate to call it a “private” enterprise, since it requires a $1.5B taxpayer loan guarantee, and very little financial or operating data has been disclosed to the public.
The state level candidates were also speaking from the same page on many issues (against Common Core, simplifying processes for small business), although Democrat Bruno Moore did point out that common education standards are needed to prepare today’s students for the global competition.
Immigration garnered a few differences in the candidates. Joe Negron opposes in-state tuition for illegals and promotes e-verify. Nick Wukoson pointed out that the current border crisis does not need new laws – enforcing the current ones would be sufficient. Brian Lara would oppose the expansion of H1B visas, such as those that provide for high-tech workers (and take jobs from home-grown specialists). Pointing out the fallacy in Williams question about illegals “taking jobs from Americans”, Alan Schlesinger pointed out that the real problem is not employment but the overburdening of the social systems. Calvin Turnquest, a legal immigrant himself from the Bahamas, summed it up with “I am the face of immigration”, and anyone who came to this country by following our laws is being disenfranchised by the flood of illegals who are circumventing the system.
Links to the “To the Point” interviews of the candidates can be found in our voters guide on the candidate”s pages. See: PB County Online Voter’s Guide
PBCTP Candidate Forums in July
Join us starting in July for our 2014 primary season candidate forums. On August 26, there will be primary elections for some districts (see below) as well as the general election for School Board. Candidates running in these races have been invited to the forums being held in their districts to make their case for their election. Since the PBCTP is non-partisan, we have invited candidates of both parties to participate.
Some of the candidates responded to a set of questions submitted to them beforehand and their answers can be downloaded from:
The PBCTP Primary Election Member Voting Guide
For the details of each of the three forums and who has been invited, please see: Jupiter Forum, Boca Forum, and Wellington Forum.
The races that will appear on the August ballots (depending on where you live) are:
| Republican Primary Races | |
|---|---|
| Congress 18 | Carl Domino, Beverly Hires, Brian Lara, Alan Schlesinger, Calvin Turnquest and Nick Wukoson |
| Congress 22 | Andrea McGee, Paul Spain and David Wagie |
| Governor | Rick Scott and other minor candidates |
| Senate 32 | Joe Negron and Brandon Cannon |
| Senate 34 | Joseph Bensmihen and Ellyn Bogdanoff |
| Democrat Primary Races | |
| Congress 20 | Jean Enright and Jameel McCline |
| Congress 21 | Ted Deutch and Emmanuel Morel |
| Governor | Charlie Crist, Nan Rich and other minor candidates |
| Atty General | George Sheldon and Perry Thurston |
| House 81 | Kevin Rader and Joshua Izaak |
| Cty Com. 6 | Kathy Foster and Melissa McKinlay |
| Non Partisan – August General Election | |
| School Brd 3 | Karen Brill, John Hartman, David Mech |
| School Brd 4 | Justin Katz, Larry Rosensweig, Thomas Sutterfield, Erica Whitfield |
| School Brd 6 | Marcia Andrews, Carla Donaldson and Joseph Moore |
| School Brd 7 | Debra Robinson and Piaget “Peppi” Hendrix |
| Ckt Judge 14 | Diana Lewis and Jessica Ticktin |
| Ckt Judge 30 | Maxine Cheesman, Jaimie Goodman and Peggy Rowe-Linn |
Dennis Michael Lynch on August 15
8/15/2014 SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
GOVERNMENT PERPETRATED CHAOS ON THE BORDER
Welcoming the Return of Dennis Michael Lynch
BOCA, JUPITER & WELLINGTON CHAPTERS COMBINED
PROGRAM: Dennis Michael Lynch will present excerpts from his new video “Coming to America” and discuss current border problems. You can see Dennis on a recent MEGYN KELLY SHOW and see a video trailer of the films at THEY COME to AMERICA
DATE: Friday, August 15, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches, Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting
COST: Dinner & Meeting: $18 (tax & tip included).
Meeting only: $5.
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
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INFORMATION: Email: mailto:info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Allen West Draws Sellout Tea Party Crowd at Abacoa
Painting a picture of the construction cranes in Washington, DC, a sign that we are “upside down”, in the US Economy, former Congressman Allen West told us that we have to “win the image battle” to turn things around.
WIth a long line waiting for an autographed copy of his new book “Guardian of the Republic“, Colonel West had just returned from Michigan where he had addressed a tea party gathering of 900.
“Find 5 people and convert 3 of them,” he proposed, “that’s 60% – how hard can that be?”
We need to go behind enemy lines, like the paratroopers before D-day, and bring the conservative message to those who really should be susceptible to it. Minority communities are socially conservative – especially in the churches. Progressive policies leading to a welfare nanny state, inflation and the lack of good jobs are likened to “economic slavery” – an idea that should resonate.
Another area where we should win is on school choice – it is Eric Holder’s justice department who is suing Louisiana to close their charter schools, and Barack Obama who ended the DC voucher program that was giving minority children a real chance at a better future.
Foreign policy and national security is another area where we should be making our case – and the tea party should embrace that part of the constitution about “provide for the common defense”. Our enemies do not fear us and our friends don’t trust us. Reagan said “Tear down this wall”, while Obama seems to be telling Vladimir Putin – “It’s OK if you want to build it again.”
Colonel West then took a series of audience questions ranging from the spread of military hardware to civilian police departments, the case for impeachment, the crisis in the middle east, and making gains in the Black and Jewish communities.
Present at the meeting were CD18 candidates Calvin Turnquest (also PBCTP Director) and Beverly Hires, State Senator Joe Negron, Andy Schaller (County Commission District 6), and Charles Punches (House District 86).
Jupiter Chapter Candidate Forum July 7
PROGRAM:Candidate Forum for 2014 Primary*
Candidates for the following offices have been invited:
US Congressional District 18, Florida executives, and Florida Senate District 32
MODERATOR: Michael Williams, eight-time Emmy award winning co-anchor at WPTV NewsChannel 5.
DATE: Monday, July 7, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches $13, tax and tip inc. Cash Bar), 6:30 PM Meeting
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
INFORMATION: Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
*Note – check out the Voters Guide before coming to the forum
Donald Boudreaux Brings Economic Wisdom to Abacoa
“Running a trade deficit is a good thing.” “It would have been better if the Fed had never been created.” “The country can continue to run deficits and pile on the national debt as long as there are those who continue to invest in the US.” “The dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency does not depend on the amount of gold in Fort Knox.”
These are some of the jewels we collected from Economist Donald J. Boudreaux at Abacoa last evening.
In an informal discussion of all things economics, this professor, attorney and noted author brought life and clarity to the “dismal science” as his anecdotes and pithy analogies questioned conventional wisdom and shared with us his lifelong appreciation of “fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets”.
Regarding the US trade deficit, he asked what could be wrong with acquiring real goods from abroad in return for pieces of paper embossed with monochrome pictures of dead presidents. Pointing out that we all run a trade deficit with (for example) a supermarket, unless we actually work there, he explained that attempts by politicians to limit imports of foreign goods is misguided.
Having no love for the federal reserve, the endless printing of money is not a good thing, but as long as others are willing to accept dollars in payment for goods and services, the party will continue.
He even took on his professorial colleagues when asked why they are all so liberal. Stupidity is the reason he said, not an ideological belief in the goodness of socialism.
It was an enlightening and entertaining presentation.
In other business, Mel announced that the Tea Party Patriots is looking for volunteers to go to Mississippi for a few days (at their expense) to work on campaigns in that state, and the PBCTP will be needing volunteers later in the year to help distribute our voters guides for the 2014 election.
Present at the meeting were candidates Calvin Turnquest, Beverly Hires and Alan Schlesinger for CD18, and Jay Bonner who is running against Alcee Hastings in CD20.
Colonel Allen West for Combined Chapter Meetings June 16
PROGRAM: Lt. Col. (ret) Allen West will speak and sign his recent book “Guardian of the Republic”.
DATE: Monday, June 16, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches $18, tax and tip inc. Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting $5
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
INFORMATION: Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Wellington Chapter Meeting – May 12
PROGRAM: Larry Horist
DATE: Monday, May 12, 2014
TIME: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
PLACE: Total Wine and More, located at 960 State Road 7 in Wellington
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Take FL-80 W/US-98/Southern Blvd/State Road 80 W to US-441 S/FL-7 N. Bear right onto the ramp to US-441 S/FL-7 N. Turn left (south) onto State Road 7/US-441. Go 0.6 miles to signal light at entrance of Shoppes at Isla Verde. Turn left at signal light into shopping center.
Our featured speaker is LARRY HORIST. Larry is an outstanding, distinguished public speaker with many talents. He hails from Chicago and personally knows David Axelrod and Valerie Jerrett. He ran for mayor against the Daley machine. He has been a political consultant in numerous presidential campaigns. He provides insightful topics on all things politics and does it in a very entertaining and informative way!
Please bring your friends and neighbors to this unique gathering!
Please RSVP so we are prepared to accommodate you.
There will be no food and there is no charge to attend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Boca Chapter Meeting May 13
PROGRAM: An insightful, entertaining and informative presentation on all things political.
SPEAKER: Our featured speaker is LARRY HORIST. Larry is an outstanding, distinguished public speaker with many talents. He hails from Chicago and personally knows David Axelrod and Valerie Jerrett. He ran for mayor against the Daley machine. He has been a political consultant in numerous presidential campaigns. He provides insightful topics on all things politics and does it in a very entertaining and informative way!
DATE: Tuesday, May 13, 2014
TIME: 6:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM
PLACE:Palm Beach County Library
West Boca Branch
18685 State Rd. 7, Boca Raton, FL 33498
Phone: 561-470-1600
DIRECTIONS: MAP
I-95 to Exit 48 (Yamato Rd.). West on Yamato Rd. to State Road 7. Right onto State Road 7. Library is the first left.
Florida Turnpike to exit 81 (FL 806, W. Atlantic Ave.). At the end of the exit ramp turn right (westbound). Drive west to State Road 7. Left onto State Road 7. Library is approximately 4 miles on the west (right side) between Clint Moore and Yamato Roads.
Please
For information: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
PBCTP Hosts Town Hall Meeting on May 5
TOWN HALL MEETING FOR ALL CONCERNED RESIDENTS.
WE HAVE INVITED THE COUNTY AND LOCAL COMMISSIONERS TO HEAR “WE THE PEOPLE” EXPRESS OUR VIEWS ON THE FOLLOWING:
PROPERTY RIGHTS, 7/50; AVENIR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT; ALL ABOARD FLORIDA, AND MORE!!!
PROGRAM: A special Town Hall type meeting
SPEAKERS: None. Palm Beach County Commissioners and local city commissioners have been invited to attend to hear the concerns of the attendees.
DATE: Monday, May 5, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches, Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting
COST: Dinner & Meeting: $13 (tax & tip included).
Meeting only: No Charge.
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club / 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
INFORMATION: Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
