This Just In: Dem Candidate for Governor Wants to Reinstate "Tolls" on State Roads!

In an unsurprising announcement, we learn that a Democratic candidate who is running for governor has decided that the only way we can reduce the deficit is to reinstate the tolls on state roads. One would think that such an absurd plan would constitute political suicide. The pro-toll candidate is Rudy Marconi, the Democratic first selectman of Ridgefield. He says that the plan will raise about $1 billion for the state. Watch this video in which he clearly makes his (misguided) case for bringing back tolls. Indeed, our state needs to remedy its budget problems, but the reinstatement of the system of tolls (which in 1983 killed 7 people in Stratford due to a truck driver who fell asleep and crashed into motorists waiting to pay the fees which therefore led to the removal of all tolls on I-95) is simply ill-informed and unnecessary. His plan calls for updated toll plazas which cars would simply drive under using the E-Z pass system. But how could one mandate such an expansion of government into people's lives, taking hard-earned dollars from motorists every time they pass under the plazas? Mr. Marconi is but one of 10 possible candidates for the November 2010 governor's election. If any other Democratic candidates support such a toll, they will surely lose any support among the people of our state. What we need are common-sense ideas, like shrinking government and cutting unnecessary programs. The way forward involves saving taxpayer dollars and fostering entrepreneurship. The more jobs we create, the greater the tax base will be, and the more income our state will receive. Many of those in power, however, have decided that suffocating local businesses under heavy taxes will help the state's budget, but it will only backfire. What is needed is the availability of tax-breaks for small businesses, which create over 70% of jobs. In conclusion, we strongly disagree with Mr. Marconi's call for the return of the tolls. We are confident that the people of Connecticut stand with us on this issue.

Welcome to the First Post!

To all those who live in Connecticut, I would like to say "Welcome!" to the first blog that will truly serve our citizens by promoting common-sense solutions, lowering taxes, conserving open space, planning for efficient development, creating jobs, and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. We humbly take "Yankee" as our party's name because of its ties to our state's rich social and economic heritage. It was the Yankees who protested in the original "Tea Party" in Boston harbor against the increased taxes that were imposed on our people by a foreign king. It was the Yankees who lived off their land and created economic growth which pushed our state towards the path of greater wealth that we see today. It was the Yankees who could fix what was broken for use another day. Our state is a great state. The current political parties have disputed over the state's budget, which remains deep in deficit, leaving our citizens with the fear of new taxes in this time of economic uncertainty. The work of the honorable M. Jodi Rell as our governor must be commended, as she has attempted to cut unnecessary programs despite the work of entrenched interests and some members of the Democratic caucus to bloat the size of our government. However, we all know that the larger the government becomes, the more money we lose in taxes. In the face of these conundrums, we are founding the Yankee Party here in Connecticut. It will be an independent party that will focus on serving the people of our great state with the issues listed above. In time, we will delve into these issues more closely and transparently, so that all Nutmeggers will be able to see and understand what we stand for and why we deserve to be elected to local and state offices. We plan to have candidates run for office in November 2010 so that we can help our citizens regain their voices in state government. We are a party "of the people, by the people, and for the people." We want those community leaders in business, construction, agriculture, services, religion, and more to get involved in the political sphere. It is the only way we can change our state's policies for the better. Please feel free to comment on what you read here and we will take it into account in our positions. Our readers and supporters will become our Yankee family here in Connecticut. Thank you for reading our blog, and check back often!