It was supposed to be the most watched race in the state.NJ101.5's Bill Spadea and Save Jersey's Matt Rooney had Steve Oroho in their crosshairs.Liberals like Democrat Senator Ray "Lord of Ass" Lesniak and Republican Jennifer Beck had lots of bad to say about him.
The Koch Brothers and the petroleum lobby used their astro-turf group to engineer the now notorious screw card; that child of David "Wally Edge" Wildstein, the ObserverNJ, ran a hit piece by NJELEC's own James Comey, Jeff Brindle; an AFP operative had a state employee try to shake down a candidate; and DOT employees got in on the action, tearing down some political campaign signs while leaving those up of candidates they supported.But at the polls, the wheels came off -- and they couldn't quite put the clown car back together again.
On election day, June 6th, Senator Steve Oroho (LD24) got more votes than any Republican Senator or Senate candidate in New Jersey.Senator Oroho picked-up 10,773 votes in the Republican primary -- the most votes won by any Senate Republican in the 40 legislative districts in New Jersey, according to the elections division of the Secretary of State's office.
The closest to Senator Oroho was Senator Mike Doherty (LD23) who got 10,742 and Senator Joe Pennacchio (LD26) with 10,357.But unlike Senator Oroho, both had no opposition.
In comparison, Republican luminaries like Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. and NJ101.5's favorite, Senator Jennifer Beck, picked-up 7,678 and 5,081 votes, respectively.
LD016,269
LD025,879
LD034,133
LD043,697
LD052,524
LD063,985
LD075,794
LD086,541
LD099,221
LD108,856
LD115,081
LD124,263 (faced opposition)
LD135,939
LD143,475 (faced opposition)
LD152,228
LD168,364
LD172,060
LD182,560
LD191,834
LD20678
LD217,678
LD222,306
LD2310,742
LD2410,773 (faced opposition)
LD258,740
LD2610,357
LD274,609
LD28(no GOP candidate)
LD29498
LD308,434
LD31663
LD32913
LD33907
LD341,029
LD35978
LD361,861
LD371,052 (faced opposition)
LD384,094
LD396,132
LD407,698 (faced opposition)
Among Republican Assembly members, Parker Space got the most in the state, with 11,097 votes.Space was bracketed with Hal Wirths, who picked-up 9,797 votes -- the fourth highest in the state.Oroho, Space, and Wirths ran as a team.
Last monthTimemagazine reported that the "powerful policy and politics network organized by the billionaire Koch brothers made official what many had expected: an opposition toPresident Trump’s ban on visitorsfrom seven countries with Muslim majorities.In a statement provided to reporters covering the Kochs’ twice-a-year retreat, top official Brian Hooks said Sunday that the groups under his umbrella would not support Trump’s move."
On February 21, 2017, theWashington Timesreported on the attack by Tim Phillips, the president of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) on President Trump's attempt to build a wall between Mexico and the United States.AFP called Trump's efforts a "tax increase" on business .
State AFP affiliates have threatened to give pro-Trump Republican members of Congress an "F" rating if they support construction of a border wall.
The Koch network, officially known as Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, operates groups such as the grassroots focused Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the data-centered i360 and Latino-eyeing Libre Initiative.Together, they spent roughly $250 million on last year’s elections—while sitting out the White House race.Over the next two years, they plan to spend as much as $400 million.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is run by David H. Koch, a New York City billionaire ($43.3 billion and counting) who is an owner at Koch Industries and whose core business is the refining and distribution of petroleum.
The Chairman of AFP -- yes, the same David H. Koch -- is a social liberal.But don't take our word for it.Here is whatWikipediahad to say about him:
Ronald Reagan was a social as well as an economic conservative.He believed in an America built on Judeo-Christian values and the Western tradition of free speech and free markets.David Koch is no Reaganite.In fact, he opposed Ronald Reagan in 1980 -- as the Libertarian Party's candidate for Vice President -- running on a platformthat included the following planks:
"We therefore call for the elimination of all restriction on immigration, the abolition of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol, and a declaration of full amnesty for those people who have entered the country illegally."
" We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children. We further support the repeal of all laws restricting voluntary birth control or the right of the woman to make a personal moral choice regarding the termination of pregnancy."
"We defend the rights of individuals to engage in (or abstain from) any religious activities which do not violate the rights of others. In order to defend religious freedom, we advocate a strict separation of church and state."
"The repeal of all laws regarding consensual sexual relations, including prostitution and solicitation, and the cessation of state oppression and harassment of homosexual men and women, that they, at least, be accorded their full rights as individuals".
"We believe that 'children' are human beings and, as such, have the same rights as any other human beings. Any reference in the Platform to the rights of human beings includes children."
"The repeal of all laws prohibiting the production, sale, possession, or use of drugs, and of all medical prescription requirements for the purchase of vitamins, drugs and similar substances".
"The repeal of all laws interfering with the right to commit suicide as infringements of the ultimate right of an individual to his or her own life".
"We support recognition of the right to political secession. Exercise of this right, like the exercise of all other rights, does not remove legal and moral obligations not to violate the rights of others."
"We call for the withdrawal of all American troops from bases abroad. In particular, we call for the removal of the U.S. Air Force as well as ground troupes from the Korean peninsula."
"We favor immediate independence for all colonial dependencies, such as Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico".
"Government interference in transportation is characterized by monopolistic restriction, corruption, and gross inefficiency. We therefore call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, Conrail and Amtrak. We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system."
And that, as they say, is how David H. Koch rolls...
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) a group that consistently opposed the gas tax increase, dispels all the nonsense being pushed by liberals like Harvey Roseff and Ray Lesniak, and makes its position clear on Question 2.
Americans for Prosperity Advocates “Yes” Vote on Public Question 2
Ballot measure would increase constitutionally dedicated revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund
Boonton, N.J. – Americans for Prosperity, the state’s leading grassroots advocate for economic freedom, is encouraging voters to supportPublic Question 2this November which concerns the dedication of certain remaining revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).
Specifically, the referendum asks voters to approve dedicating the remaining 3 cents from the 13.5 cent tax on diesel fuel, as well as all of the revenues from the petroleum products gross receipts tax to the TTF. The current dedication from the petro tax is a minimum of $200 million. The tax has generated $215 million in each of the past two fiscal years.
AFP state director Erica Jedynak provided the following statement.
“Americans for Prosperity supports the ballot measure and constitutionally dedicating the remaining revenues collected from the tax on diesel and the petro tax to the transportation fund.
“At the same time, AFP wants voters to be clear that this referendum does not authorize a gas tax increase, nor does it in any way resolve the transportation challenges the state is facing. The remaining revenue from these two taxes amounts to less than $30 million, a mere fraction of the $1.2 billion collected for the TTF last year.
“Americans for Prosperity is steadfast in our opposition to a gas tax hike. We continue to urge lawmakers to pursue reforms to rein in wasteful spending and to ensure our transportation dollars are used solely for our roads and bridges.”
For further information or an interview, please contact Mike Proto atMProto@afphq.orgor 201-400-3666.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. For more information, visitwww.americansforprosperity.orgstate and taxpayers
On Friday night, a couple members of Bill Spadea's Red-Shirt movement held a "rally" at the former headquarters of the notorious American National Socialist Bund. For some strange reason, instead of demolishing the former Camp Nordland, the town leaders of Andover Township have maintained the building that hosted numerous Nazi, Fascist, and Ku Klux Klan rallies in the 1930's. Sussex County historian Wayne McCabe has written a book about the goings on at "the barn at Lake Iliff in Andover Township."
The Red-Shirts were voicing their opposition to Ballot Question 2, which simply states:
A "yes" vote supports this proposal to dedicate all revenue from gas taxes to transportation projects.
A "no" vote opposes this proposal, thus devoting the same levels of revenue to transportation projects.
The non-partisan organization ballotpedia.org provides the following details:
Amendment design
Question 2 would create a constitutional requirement that all revenue derived from taxes on motor fuels be deposited into the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).[1] Currently, only 10.5 cents of the gasoline and diesel fuel taxes is required to be deposited into the TTF.
Transportation Trust Fund
Question 2 would require all revenue from tax revenues on motor fuels to be deposited into the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The TTF was designed to fund the Department of Transportation and NJ Transit, which then use the revenue for transportation-related projects.[2]
Question 2 and the gas tax
Question 2 was intended to complement a gas tax increase. The amendment itself does not increase the gas tax.[3][4] On September 30, 2016, Gov. Christie (R) and the Democratic-controlled state legislature agreed to increase the gas tax 23 cents per gallon. As part of the agreement, the estate tax was eliminated, the Earned Income Tax Credit was increased, a tax deduction for veterans was created, and the state sales tax will be reduced from 7 to 6.625 percent in 2018.[5] Question 2 would guarantee that revenue from the additional 23 cents gas tax and the existing 10.5 cents gas tax to the Transportation Trust Fund.[6] Gov. Christie signed the bill on October 14, 2016.[7]
Americans for Prosperity, a leader in its opposition to the gas tax increase, supports the passage of Ballot Question 2:
"Americans for Prosperity supports the ballot measure and constitutionally dedicating the remaining revenues collected from the tax on diesel and the petro tax to the transportation fund. At the same time, AFP wants voters to be clear that this referendum does not authorize a gas tax increase, nor does it in any way resolve the transportation challenges the state is facing. The remaining revenue from these two taxes amounts to less than $30 million, a mere fraction of the $1.2 billion collected for the TTF last year. Americans for Prosperity is steadfast in our opposition to a gas tax hike. We continue to urge lawmakers to pursue reforms to rein in wasteful spending and to ensure our transportation dollars are used solely for our roads and bridges."
Ballot Question 2 is the latest BIG LIE seized upon by Red-Shirt founder Bill Spadea for the purposes of (1) increasing his value to the Townsquare Media Corporation, owners of radio station NJ 101.5; and (2) stirring up mistrust, anger, and rage against government and existing political parties for the furtherance of the Fascist Red-Shirt Movement.
Spadea's argument appears to be that the tax cuts in the Tax Restructuring program (eliminating the estate tax, the tax cut on retirement income for most New Jersey seniors, the sales tax cut, the $3,000 personal income tax exemption for veterans, and the earned income tax credit for low-paid workers) will take revenue that is needed for pension payments for public employee unions. Spadea speciously argues that a vote on Ballot Question 2 would leave "teachers without proper funding".
First of all, this is nonsense and based on some entirely false premise that the Red-Shirt leader cooked up in his head. Second, it is essentially a left-wing argument, one made by Walter Mondale against Ronald Reagan, at odds with the political spectrum Spadea and the other Red-Shirts claim to represent. But then again, they didn't call it national socialism for nothing!
The anger is the thing. Getting listeners to act out in an emotional rage is what Spadea's mission is and the level of sometimes violent rage he's built up is truly remarkable. The foul and pornographic language, the threats of violence against legislators and their families posted on social media, have been breathtaking.
Townsquare Media permits Spadea to spew hatred against people who use public transportation as though they were a lower form of human being -- and his Red-Shirt followers (and some elected officials) lap it up. As a salesman, politician, and movement leader, Spadea appears to know more about transportation engineering than civil engineers and planners, who explain the common sense fact that public mass transportation removes millions of cars from the road that would otherwise be clogging said roads and adding to road wear and lengthening commuting time.
Spadea's latest argument against putting the money from the gas tax into a lock-box for road and bridge repair is that capital projects should be purchased up front instead of being financed over the life of the project. That would be like buying a house or a car for cash. Few can afford to do that and taxpayers cannot afford to see their property taxes go up to pay for a new bridge up front Capital borrowing spreads the cost out over the life of the bridge.
It's common sense but common sense is not what Bill Spadea and his Red-Shirters are about. They want anger, they want rage, they want fear, they want hate... and increasingly, they are succeeding.
Spadea's rants have so frightened Assemblyman Erik Peterson, that last week his office put out a press release stating "Peterson has consistently opposed these measures" while apparently forgetting that he voted to put the Question on the ballot in January of this year:
ACR1 Amends State Constitution to dedicate all State revenues from motor fuels and petroleum products gross receipts tax to transportation system.
Session Voting: Asm. 1/11/2016 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {75} No {0} Not Voting {4} Abstains {0}
Peterson, Erik - Yes
What a knucklehead!
But that's how it is now. Emotion trumps reason. The Big Lie conquers factual truth. Fear makes people forget their own voting records. And anger, rage, and hate are the order of the day. We have been here before, as this footage from a speech by an American Brown-Shirt leader in Madison Square Garden reminds us. Yes, we have been here before and we have defeated the forces of rage and have survived.
Not long ago, some of the very same people who are now engaged in smearing Steve Oroho over the estate tax were urging him to repeal it.They even held a rally at the Statehouse in Trenton to kick-off their campaign.
Advisory: AFP To Launch Death Tax Repeal Effort, Monday, Sept. 15
SEP 11, 2014 BY AFP
AFP to Launch Death Tax Repeal Effort! ~Monday, Sept. 15 at 12PM at the Statehouse~
TRENTON – Americans for Prosperity, the state’s leading advocate for taxpayers, will holda press conference on the steps of the capitol on Monday, Sept. 15 at 12 noonto launch an effort to repeal the state’s death tax, or estate tax.
AFP will be joined by a broad coalition of lawmakers, organizations and concerned citizens, among them stateSen. Steve Oroho (R-24),Asm. Jay Webber (R-26), andAsm. Gordon Johnson (D-37); the60 Plus Association,Commerce and Industry Association,CPA Society of New Jersey,National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)and theCommon Sense Institute of New Jersey.
Coalition members believe eliminating the estate tax is critical for stemming the exodus of residents and job creators to lower tax states and improving New Jersey’s economy. Repeal is also viewed as a moral imperative since the state’s low death tax threshold saddles many middle class New Jerseyans with tax bills into the tens of thousands of dollars—in effect taxing them for achieving the American Dream.
Sen. Orohois the primary sponsor of legislation which would phase the estate tax out over a five year period. The press conference signals the commitment of AFP and coalition partners to educating the public and building grassroots pressure to compel the Legislature to pass this legislation this year.
AFP Death Tax Repeal Kickoff Event! ~Monday, Sept. 15 at 12PM on Capitol Steps~ 125 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 (Click for map)
Sen. Steve Oroho (R-24), Asm. Jay Webber (R-26) and Asm. Gordon Johnson (D-37) Frayda Levin, Chairwoman, Americans for Prosperity Daryn Iwicki, State Director, Americans for Prosperity Jim Martin, Chairman, 60 Plus Association Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey Ralph Thomas, CEO & Executive Director, CPA Society of New Jersey Jerry Cantrell, President, Common Sense Institute of New Jersey Dan Pagano, New Jersey Citizen-Activist Numerous AFP citizen-activists
Note that Dan Pagano, the president of the group Harvey Roseff claims to represent, supported Senator Steve Oroho's legislation.This is the very group that is organizing the rally in Newton this weekend.
Oh, another day, another rally.Steve Oroho did what these people thought was so important.How important?Let's hear it from them:
Coalition members believe eliminating the estate tax is critical for stemming the exodus of residents and job creators to lower tax states and improving New Jersey’s economy. Repeal is also viewed as a moral imperative since the state’s low death tax threshold saddles many middle class New Jerseyans with tax bills into the tens of thousands of dollars—in effect taxing them for achieving the American Dream.
Despite saying that they were going to "compel" the Legislature to eliminate the estate tax in 2014, that didn't mean squat to the Democrats who control both chambers of the Legislature.These people had their rally... and then left it to Steve Oroho to do their negotiating for them.And he got it done.Not a perfect compromise, but when you are as outnumbered in the Legislature as the Republicans are, you are never going to get anywhere near perfect.What you are going to get 9 times out of 10 is... squat.
But AFP, Roseff's group, and all rest said that they believed"eliminating the estate tax is critical for stemming the exodus of residents and job creators to lower tax states and improving New Jersey's economy."
They held a rally to get it done.Nobody thought it could get done.
Senator Steve Oroho got it done!The estate tax will be gone before Governor Christie leaves office!
So instead of a "thank you for getting that done for us," what did Steve Oroho get for doing what they asked him to do?
Death threats from Tea Partiers.Violent, pornographic rants from other Tea Partiers.His son was attacked by AFPers.Tea Partier Gail Phoebus, who Oroho had endorsed and supported, spread the most malicious and hateful rumors.The likes of George Graham stoked the fires and got others to do the dirty work.
We have all heard the rhetoric coming out of the Tea Party regarding the estate tax.That it only helps "rich" people and does nothing for the "working class."This is Marxist language -- and it represents a massive flip-flop, a 180 degree turn by the Tea Party.
In their quest to promote their own candidate against Steve Oroho, the Tea Party has promised to support the judicial appointment of a pro-abortion, ACLU-approved, liberal Democrat (Phoebus' pick).They have promised to support the control over county government by liberal Hudson County machine Democrat-turned-Republican George "Boss" Graham.And now they are employing the class warfare of Hillary Clinton against conservatives for ending the estate tax in New Jersey.
Sussex County Watchdog