May 30 2023

The Becker Report – May 2023

Beckerisms

Debt Ceiling “Crisis”

How much is the national debt and deficit?

According to USDebtClock.org, the debt is approaching $32 trillion with a deficit of approximately $1.5 trillion.

Worst case scenario: Balanced Budget

It appears that the US government must either raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion or cut spending by the same (or some combination of the two) to achieve a balanced budget. Is an unconstitutional default on public debt or cuts in popular programs like Social Security and Medicare necessary? Nope.

What were the fiscal 2022 (October 1 through September 30) actuals?

According to USSpending.gov they spent $6.27 trillion of our money in FY 2022.
When Texas Governor Rick Perry ran for president, he proposed eliminating the departments of education, energy, and commerce. Let’s do that: The Department of Education and the Department of Energy spent $639 billion and $58.3 billion respectively. The Department of Commerce spent $21.7 billion.
ObamaCare cost us another $204 billion in FY 2022. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a welfare program managed by the IRS and cost us $64 billion. (It provides tax “refunds” to people who might never have paid any taxes to be refunded.) President Biden’s so-called “student loan forgiveness” is worth $42 billion in FY 2023. His open borders policy cost us $10.7 billion in welfare for illegal aliens. There’s another $90 billion in unspent Coved money that could be clawed back and $23.8 billion in a category called “unknown.” Maybe they should find that and eliminate it.
If you’re keeping score, we’re now at $1.2 trillion of $1.5 trillion to balance the budget and eliminate the debt ceiling “crisis.” Frankly, I don’t think finding another $300 billion or so would be too difficult. How much more could we save by cutting off welfare for able-body adults? What about heightening the requirements for new enrollees for any welfare program? Realistically, these cuts would have to be phased in over a few years.
It’s also important to note that eliminating whole departments won’t necessarily eliminate all of their spending. Many programs could get transferred elsewhere. The above examples are intended to be a starting point for serious discussions leading to spending controls and ultimately a balanced budget.
The purpose of this exercise is to point out the ridiculous rhetoric threatening interest payments on debt (default) and social security checks. Why is it that they never threaten to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts? Liberals would rather default on debt and Social Security. It’s a matter of priorities which gets back to “elections have consequences.”

But wait, there’s more…

Citizens against Government Waste has identified nearly $400 billion in the current year.
According to CNBC, the federal government wastes at least $247 billion in taxpayer money each year.
Here’s 9 Crazy Examples of Government Waste in 2022. These few examples are in the hundreds of millions.

What does the US Constitution say about spending?

Invoking the 14th Amendment

Let’s take a look at what exacly it says about debt:

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
14th Amendment, Section 4

This was written shortly after the civil war and was focused on it. Regardless, it requires that the public debt must be paid prior to any other expenses. Default is not an option. It doesn’t mean that the debt ceiling law is unconstitutional and can be disregarded.

How does this concept compare to a household credit card?

Let’s say that your credit card has a $10,000 spending limit and requires that all interest due must be paid. Only President Biden believes that the credit card company is required to increase your credit limit if you can’t (or won’t) pay the interest due.

What spending does the Constitution authorize?

Most of it is summed up in Section 8 of Article I. The 10th Amendment makes it clear that the federal government can only do what the Constitution specifically allows and all else is for the individual states to decide.

Role of the federal government and the states

Foreign policy, national defense, coining money, regulating commerce, and settling disputes between the states are a few examples of the purpose of the federal government. The $2.5 trillion that we spend on the Department of Health and Human Services was never part of the plan. Additionally, there are multiple other departments and programs that could be and should be managed by the states.

The solution

The federal government should phase out all unconstitutional programs by block granting them to the states. The states would then decide if and how to manage them. Multiple states could form a consortium to achieve economies of scale and manage programs by region.

Defensive Gun Use by people legally carrying guns

Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns: 33 Cases During January 2023

Union Township Update

Farmers Market

The 2023 Farmers Market will be every Friday beginning June 9 from 4 PM to 7 PM.

New Website

Website development is ongoing with Civic Plus. It is anticipated to go live in June.

Union Township welcomes new and growing businesses

Construction continues on the TQL expansion and the Inter Parish Ministry food pantry in Mt. Carmel.

Kroger has opened a new gas station at their Cherry Grove location. They expect the addition to “fuel” profits.
A Hilton Hotel has been perpetually under construction near the Hampton Inn and Meijer’s. They have made certain “accommodations” and residents can “sleep well” knowing that construction has recommenced.
Mike’s Car Wash has purchased an existing facility with planed upgrades off of SR 125 and McMann Road. They hope to “washout” the competition.
Plans have been approved for Chick-fil-A to improve and expand their drive through lanes. Now that’s something to “cluck” about.
Vandalia Rental is “gearing up” to move into the old Ohio Mulch location on Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road near the Days Inn.
Bubbakoo’s is “cooking up” plans to open in the previous Zoup’s location.
Kay Jewelers is looking at a “golden” opportunity to locate a store near Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Dirty Dough Cookies is “baking” plans to open near the Cherry Grove Skyline Chili.
Panda Express is looking to raze the car wash next to the Union Township library and build a new location there. It’s an “appetizing” venture that has been approved by the Board of Trustees.
Honda East will be “shifting gears” to “rev up” sales by expanding their operations in Cherry Grove. They might “tire,” “brake,” and “shock” you, but they are “on a roll.” Wouldn’t it be nice if they offered free samples?
Inter Parish Ministry has a food pantry under construction across from Gold Star Chili in Mt. Carmel. It’s expected to be a “full-filling” experience.
PetSuites is “grooming” a new location on Old SR 74 next to Office Max. The lot has been cleared.
TQL will be adding an additional 1,000 jobs at its sprawling UT campus. The new southern wing will look similar to their recently added northern wing. The project is “trucking” along. “Total Quality” will be a “Logistic” requirement.
Kroger has “crushing” plans to demolish Sears and build a new 123,722 square foot Kroger Marketplace store detached from the mall. The store will include a Starbucks, drive through pharmacy, expanded deli, expanded bakery, a Murray Cheese section, sushi, expanded adult beverage section, apparel, home goods, expanded grocery section, and a Kroger fuel center with 18 fuel pumps. The fuel will be on the recently shuttered Wendy’s side of the parking lot. The northeast side of the store will have a parking area for on-line pickup. The current Kroger store on Eastgate Boulevard will likely close in coordination with opening the new Kroger Marketplace store.
Outback Steakhouse will be “firing up” a new restaurant near Meijer’s where the old Starbucks and a video store used to be. Lot demolition has begun. The “stakes” could be high and profits are expected to “sizzle.”
Take 5 Oil Change is currently building on the site of an old shuttered Wendy’s near the corner of Ohio Pike and Nine Mile Road. It’s a “slick” move.
Biggby Coffee is “brewing” a new location in Meijer’s parking lot near the current Chase Bank location.
Chase Bank will be relocating their Eastgate location to Eastgate Blvd near Big Lots. They are hoping to “cash-in” on the move.
Taco John’s is planning to build a new restaurant near the Sam’s Club fuel pumps near Steak n Shake. We didn’t “grill” them at the Trustee’s meeting.

Congressman Wenstrup’s office is in the lower level of the Civic Center near the Post Office. Staff is available during business hours to meet with members of the public.

Union Township Meeting Video

May 9, 2023
April 25, 2023
April 11 2023
March 14, 2023
February 28, 2023
February 14, 2023
January 10, 2023
January 3, 2023

Event Calendar

Disclaimer: All events, locations, and times are subject to change.

June 5
Union Township Republican Central Committee meeting at the Civic Center at 7 PM.

June 9
Farmers Market at the UT Civic Center from 4 – 7 PM.

June 10
Concert featuring “Tom the Torpedoes” behind the UT Civic Center beginning at 7:30 PM.

June 12
Advocates for Medical Truth (AMT) meeting at the Eastgate LaRosa’s at 6:30 PM. This group was previously called “Stop the Mandates.”

June 13
Union Township Trustees meeting at the Civic Center at 6 PM.

June 16
Farmers Market at the UT Civic Center from 4 – 7 PM.

June 17
Police K9 demo at 7 PM followed by Movie Night – DC League of Superhero Pets at Veterans Park at dusk-ish.

June 21
Clermont County Republican Party Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM at HQ in Batavia.

June 22
Union Township Trustees special meeting to consider zoning applications at 6 PM.

June 23
Farmers Market at the UT Civic Center from 4 – 7 PM.

June 24
Movie Night: Top Gun Maverick at Clepper Park at dusk-ish.

June 30
Farmers Market at the UT Civic Center from 4 – 7 PM.

Video Central

PragerU: Tyre Nichols and Police Brutality (5 minutes)
The Babylon Bee: Is The FBI Listening To Your Phone Calls? (4 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! CAUGHT IN 4K!! (13 minutes)
Mark Levin: The Joe Biden Record (11 minutes)
PragerU: The Constitution: A Moral Challenge (5 minutes)
Jesse Watters: They want to divide us (9 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! The WORST in American History!! (12 minutes)
The Babylon Bee: How Disney Comes Up With New Movie Ideas (5 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! CNN’s Town Hall: Trump vs. Kait-LYIN’ Collins (20 minutes)
Budweiser Ad PARODY (1 minute)
Don’t Walk, RUN! It’s Getting WORSE BY THE DAY!! (4 minutes)
PragerU: What Are Judeo-Christian Values? (6 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! “It’s not a lie… if you believe it.” – Joe Biden (Probably) (11 minutes)
PragerU: Millard Fillmore: The Last Whig President (5 minutes)
We the People Convention News & Opinion (Tom Z.)

BeckerGOP YouTube Channel

Presentations and discussions at the Union Township Trustee meetings

Concealed Carry Part 1 – January 11, 2022 (9 minutes)
Concealed Carry Part 2 – February 8, 2022 (12 minutes)
Union Township Debt Presentation – March 8, 2022 (10 minutes) Slides
Union Township Property Tax Distributions – April 12, 2022 (7 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Financials – May 10, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Expenses Deep Dive – June 14, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township First Half 2022 Financials – July 12, 2022 (13 minutes) Slides
Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) – July 12, 2022 (10 minutes)
UT Concert Series – August 9, 2022 (5 minutes)
Natural Gas Aggregation Discussion – September 13, 2022 (9 minutes)
Cost of 2022 Concert Series and Fireworks – September 13, 2022 (14 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Board of Trustees Discussion (38 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Public and Board of Trustees Discussion (100 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Six Month Moratorium (12 minutes)
Board Discussion: Meeting Rules (36 minutes)

The Becker Report Video Archives

Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!

“…John Becker, an ‘archconservative’ former state lawmaker from the Cincinnati area…” as described by Cleveland.com (February 2021).
“[State Rep. John Becker,] one of Ohio’s most conservative lawmakers…” proclaimed Cleveland.com (October 2020).
“Clermont County State Rep. John Becker, one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House…” according to Cleveland.com (August 2019).
Becker wins “Sponsor of Liberty” award by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (October 2018).
“Becker has a legitimate claim as the state’s most conservative legislator,” according to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer (September 2017).
“Rep. John Becker, suburban Cincinnati Republican… [holds] the unofficial title as the General Assembly’s most conservative lawmaker,” proclaimed the Columbus Dispatch (September 2015).
Becker wins prestigious William Wilberforce Leadership Award (April 2015).
“GOP Ohio House freshman Becker is no shrinking violet,” headlined the Columbus Dispatch (December 2014).
“Becker…is arguably the most conservative member of the Ohio House,” said The Cincinnati Enquirer (January 2014).
Ranked as a top tier “most archconservative” by the Columbus Dispatch (September 2013).

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Introduction (38 seconds)	Second Amendment (36 seconds)
Taxes (49 seconds)	Energy (55 seconds)
Pro-Life (42 seconds)	Creation Science and Evolution (42 sec.)
State Government Spending (45 sec.)	State Government (37 seconds)

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Disclaimer
Nothing in this newsletter constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV. This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. Much of it is simply my opinion. I am fully and solely responsible for my opinion. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not “The Gospel according to John.” Additionally, I don’t necessarily try to be “fair and balanced.” After all, I didn’t get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?