The state of Rhode Island’s motto is “Hope”. Therefore, it is fitting that the Democratic Party has controlled RI’s General Assembly for over 70 years. But where has that leadership taken us? RI has the second highest unemployment rate in the country, 11%. High taxes and red tape force companies either out of business or out of state, taking with them the opportunity for RI citizens to earn success. Our education system is faltering because more time and money is spent dealing with unions and regulations than is spent on the actual education of our students. Quality of life of RI citizens has consistently diminished. 13.6% of RI’s population lived in poverty in 2010, up from 11.1% in 2006. Despite the billions of dollars poured in to welfare and similar programs to prevent this, the rate has risen 2.5% in 5 years. RI’s roads and infrastructure are crumbling. RI cities face bankruptcy and serious fiscal crises. The median home value in RI fell nearly 12% in the fourth quarter of 2011. The median income of Rhode Islanders continues to stall or decrease while the costs of gas, food, utilities and everything else rises at staggering rates. RI can certainly hope that this will change, but the economic and social policies of the democrats have failed. Let us create the opportunity that will change these statistics.
Republicans offer “opportunity” as their mantra. Indeed, America is, or was, the Land of Opportunity. Opportunity is defined as “a favorable juncture of circumstances” or as “a good chance for advancement or progress”. American citizens need opportunity, the opportunity of a good job that will allow them to provide for themselves and their families, the opportunity for a high quality education for themselves and their children, and the opportunity to live in freedom. Opportunity is active, but it has been diminished by the policies of our government, as set forth by our elected officials, and as condoned by those citizens that continue to vote for the same people and the same policies that have created the circumstances in which we now find our country, state and cities. A balanced representation of both parties in the General Assembly of RI would enable the creation of opportunity for the citizens of Rhode Island. We must stop the unchecked deterioration of the values of our Founding Fathers; limited government as a tool to protect and defend the liberties of the governed has turned into a bloated bureaucracy that stands in the way of everything that it is supposed to accomplish. How do we reverse course, when we are so far downstream and we’re rapidly heading toward the falls? With hard work we can make it happen, through voter education and the promotion of civic responsibility, we can bring balance to RI General Assembly.
The RI GOP is working to bring a slate of General Assembly candidates to the voters who will create opportunity for Rhode Islanders through smaller, more effective government, equitable taxes and value for those taxes. To support these candidates, the RI GOP has assembled RI Republican Strike Force, a volunteer group specifically committed to providing boots-on-the-ground support and campaign strategizing and fund-raising. Strike Force is a comprehensive program, led by co-chairs Eileen Grossman and Mike Napolitano, which offers exclusive services such as graphic design, professional photography, group pricing for campaign materials, and most importantly, a network of over 150 volunteers throughout the state. Please join the fight, join the Woonsocket Republican City Committee and join Strike Force. Together, we will work to end 70 years of one party rule at the General Assembly, together we can bring opportunity to all Rhode Islanders.
Lee Ann Sennick
Chair
Woonsocket Republican City Committee