Author Archive for Raymond McKay

A Personal Letter from RIRA President Raymond T. McKay

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Raymond McKay

RIGOP Nominations Committee endorses RIRA’s President McKay for Chairman

Dear fellow RIGOP Delegates and the RIRA membership:

My friends, I am writing to you as a Party friend and loyalist with the deepest appreciation and respect for the consideration, time, and effort put forth by the RIGOP Nominations Committee for their Official Endorsement of my candidacy to be the next Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party. I am truly honored by your confidence in me, and my vision to build-up the RIGOP. I am ready for this challenge.

As you know, the Special Election to choose the next Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party will be held this Wednesday, December 21, 2012 at the RI Shriners at 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI. The election will be held in the very same room where we just held the very successful and enjoyable 7th Annual RIRA Christmas Dinner Party on Saturday night. The special election meeting on Wednesday is scheduled to begin promptly at 7:00 P.M., so please arrive early for the credentialing process. There is also a cash bar and dinner menu at the RI Shriners, which you are encouraged to enjoy.

Let me state a few things, to clear up any possible confusion or misperceptions. As I have said many times, it is the grassroots of politics that will help move this Party forward. That means, a leader must lead, but also listen and hear from those whom he would ask to follow him. It was made very clear to me during the RIGOP Nominations Committee process that it would be impractical for me to lead two similar, but obviously different Republican organizations, and to do both well simultaneously.

Let me say this for the record and so there is no misunderstanding: If I am so fortunate as to be elected Chairman of the RIGOP on Wednesday evening, I will submit my resignation as President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly.

With that said, please know that I am absolutely determined that I will not do to RIRA, what the prior Chair of the RIGOP unintentionally did to the RIGOP by leaving his position so abruptly. The RIRA Board of Directors, as well as myself, have already planned for a very smooth transition to new leadership once I am elected as the new Republican Party Chairman. That being said, RIRA Bylaws are somewhat more complex than those of the RIGOP.

  • First, the RIRA Board of Directors must meet to approve my written request to resign. I know this will not be an issue.
  • Second, unlike the RIGOP, my leaving the helm of RIRA does not necessitate holding a “special election” to determine my replacement. RIRA already has very clear leadership transition procedures in place.
  • Third, as the RIRA Board of Directors already has a regularly scheduled meeting planned for January 7, 2012, and being that we are right in the middle of the Christmas season already, I believe that staying with that previously announced meeting schedule would be best for all of us to be able to enjoy a stress-free, enjoyable, and politics-free Christmastime.

I realize that after over 6 years as the RIRA President, this change will not be easy for some RIRA members to absorb at first. However, it has often been said that “the only constant in life is change.” I want to change the RIGOP and make it something that we can all be proud to belong to. That is my mission, and I know that it is RIRA’s as well. Although I will no longer be the public face or spokesman of RIRA, I will still remain active within the organization. Those RIRA members who may be concerned that their grassroots Republican organization which was built up over a period of 10-plus years will fall apart at the seams without me at the helm, need not worry. RIRA is much bigger than one person. As I’ve often said: “This is not about me.” This is about all of us.

If I am so fortunate as to be elected as your next RIGOP Chairman on Wednesday, I am ready, willing, and able to take on this new challenge — and it will be a challenge. Together, we will create a viable, identifiable, and competently-run Republican Party organization in this “bluest of blue states” which we can all be proud of.

As my role model, President Ronald Reagan often said, “Our best days are yet to come.”

The hard work ahead of us will yield the fruits of change that we, and this State, so desperately yearn for, and rightfully deserve.

Thank you so much for your time, and I ask for your vote of confidence on Wednesday evening.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay

President, RIRA
Candidate for RIGOP Chairman

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Filed Under: 2011 Elections, Republican Party and RIRA Closed

Statement from RIRA President Raymond McKay

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Raymond McKay

As President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly, I would like to take this moment to wish Ken McKay all the best in his new endeavors in Washington. I am sure that Ken’s talents will be of great use to Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin in helping overcome the issues that have been brought forth by the Obama administration.

Over the next thirty days, the RIGOP will select a new leader. We must all remain focused, energized, and be 100% supportive of the new leader whomever it may be. Ken’s moving on is but a bump in the road which the RIGOP will weather just fine.

I look forward to continue working with the RIGOP on issues of building an effective Party, an army of candidates, and addressing the issues that face us all in the State of Rhode Island, from taxes to illegal immigration to pension reform, to an out of control General Assembly, and as we all know, the list goes on.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

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Filed Under: Commentary, Republican Party and RIRA Closed

RIRA urges RIGOP State Party Position on Illegal Immigrant In-State Tuition

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Raymond McKay

Where does the RIGOP STAND? With the Taxpayers and American Citizens or against?

Good morning – as I get up to speed from returning home from the NFRA Presidential Preference Convention in Des Moines, IA, I find that an editorial in Sunday’s Providence Journal might lead one to think that Republicans are okay with some new world order and that this nation is no longer a nation of laws, as long as you feel good about what you do…

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) and most fiscal and constitutional conservatives strongly oppose in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

Rewards for this type of violation of the laws and sovereignty of this nation promote the demise of American Citizenship.

Let us all refrain from the Political Correctness being put forth by many Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives. We must define the discussion for what it is and not let others water it down, make it seem less offensive or even acceptable. There is no such thing as “undocumented students / workers”! They are illegal aliens who have CHOSEN to ignore the laws of our land.

The state cannot afford its pension system, yet Governor Chafee, Dr. Harrop and Ms. Rojas want to give away tax dollars to those who violate the laws of this Nation.

Let us all remember that while Republican President Reagan provided amnesty for 3 million illegal immigrants in the 1980′s, the other piece of the puzzle was that the Democrats, Progressives, and Liberals in congress were suppose to give the American Citizens secure borders and immigration reform, which the Democrats, Progressives, and Liberals reneged on. Of course, that was left out of the most recent discussion. Should anyone wish to put forth what President Reagan’s thoughts were and could be, they should do so after talking to former Attorney General Edwin Meese.

Do Dr. Harrop and Ms. Rojas, as officers of the State RIGOP, currently speak for the State Party on this issue as the article might have one believe? They also list themselves as officers of the Providence GOP City Committee. Are they speaking on behalf of that organization as well?

What is the RIGOP State Party and Providence’s City Committee official position now that Dr. Harrop has been on talk radio promoting this horrendous act by non-elected officials, appointed by a Governor, who through his actions, has shown great contempt for those who became Citizens legally?

Will Dr. Harrop and Ms. Rojas be sanctioned for possibly misleading the general public into thinking this is the RIGOP Policy?

As American Citizens, they are well within their rights to speak on issues as they see fit. I, along will millions of other American Citizens, have served on Active Duty to protect these rights.

The question is: Does the RIGOP stand for anything different then the Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives like Governor Chafee, Senator Paiva-Weed, or Representative Fox?

ANSWERS AND LEADERSHIP ARE NEEDED AND DEMANDED NOW!!!

Raymond T. McKay

President, RIRA

The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Raymond McKay at (401) 487-2514 or president [at] ri-ra [dot] org. Thank you.

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Filed Under: Immigration Reform, Republican Party and RIRA Closed

Protected: RIRA Executive Committee Meeting | Saturday

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Raymond McKay

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Filed Under: Coming Events, Meetings and RIRA Closed

RIRA to General Assembly: Stop Fiscal Irresponsibility!

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Raymond McKay

RIRA to GA – Stop Fiscal Irresponsibility – Binding Arbitration – Never Ending Contracts

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, like just about every other person and organization concerned about the solvency of the State of Rhode Island, adamantly opposes binding arbitration. Monetary issues in public-sector union contracts should not be decided by unelected individuals, who cannot be recalled by the election process if they saddle the taxpayers with budget-busting contracts. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to make decisions in the public interest for the general welfare. Appointed bureaucrats should not be making decisions that are going to financially affect the taxpayers who then have no ability to reward or punish those decisions at the ballot box.

As the state and local cities and towns all struggle with out-of-control spending, the last thing we need is to permit binding arbitration which would allow our elected representatives to continue to avoid the hard fiscal decisions which must be made.

In a recent Projo article, it was pointed out that “…subjecting monetary issues to the binding-arbitration process would allow for quicker resolutions of contract disputes.” Perhaps so, but faster is not necessarily better. It is always faster to surrender than to fight, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right decision.

In that same Projo article, Daniel Beardsley, Jr., executive director of the League of Cities and Towns was quoted as saying that allowing binding arbitration “…would put another half-dozen communities on the precipice of bankruptcy.” Agreed, and if bankruptcy were to be avoided, it would put such an increased burden on the taxpayers that more Rhode Islanders would be forced to leave the state in self-defense.

Another aspect of House bill 5700, in addition to the binding arbitration provision, is that contract benefits would automatically continue until a new agreement is reached. This is absurd! The taxpayers cannot afford what we have now, as evidenced by the red ink flowing everywhere. This continuation of salaries and benefits after a contract has expired renders it virtually impossible to ever reduce the pay and benefits of public-sector union workers. There is a business cycle, and labor is one component of the production of goods and services. If the cost of labor is only allowed to go one way – up, regardless of the economic environment, the inevitable consequence will be fewer goods and services. In the current economic environment, many private-sector workers have taken pay cuts, lost their health insurance coverage, or even lost their jobs. If we are all going to “share the sacrifice,” then workers in the public sector are going to have to make downward adjustments in their expectations as well.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly urges, in the strongest possible terms, that the R.I. House, the representatives of all the people of RI, vote against House bills 5700, 5817, and 5961. Their passage would be a disaster both for the state and for the people.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

Press Release from the Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Media Contact: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or (401) 487-2514

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Filed Under: Economics, Press Releases, Rhode Island and RIRA Closed

Conservatives and Friends, Have You Voted Yet Today?

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Raymond McKay

No time for long winded inspirational speeches…

By now with the awesome work all the candidates and their supporters have been putting forth, you MUST know the Real Deal . . .

So, Have You Voted yet?

The polls are open until 9:00 p.m. this evening. Everyone should be able to find time within the fourteen (14) hours to vote for the Right Change.

The following names were put forth to the Rhode Island Republican Assembly’s Endorsement Convention on June 12, 2010 and have been endorsed based on our by-laws. To the best of our knowledge, and we pay close attention, NO candidate has compromised his or her standing throughout the campaign season for RIRA to consider revoking the endorsement.

United States Congress District 1 – John Loughlin

United States Congress District 2 – Mark Zaccaria

Governor – John Robitaille

Lt Governor – No Endorsement

General Treasurer – Kernan “Kerry” King

Attorney General – Erik Wallin

Rhode Island Senate Candidates

Steve Gerling – Dist 18
Dawson Hodgson – Dist 35
Beth Moura – Dist 19
Chris Ottiano – Dist 11

Rhode Island Representative Candidates

Rep Brian Newberry – Dist 48
Rep Joe Trillo – Dist 24
Donald Botts – Dist 16
Tim Burchett – Dist
Gio Calise – Dist 25
Michael Chippendale – Dist 40
Thomas Clupny – Dist 62
Doreen Costa – Dist 31
Phil Duquette – Dist 33
Dan Gordon – Dist 71
William Grapentine – Dist 69
Michael Grossi – Dist 58
Matt Guerra – Dist 46
James Haldeman – Dist 35
Jen Hirons – Dist 44
Mike Picillo – Dist 39
Dan Reilly – Dist 72
Erich Sturn – Dist 4

It is Never the Wrong Time to do the Right Thing.

That time is now !!!

Friends never let family and friends vote the wrong way – get the word out to vote for the Conservative candidates.

Some conservatives missed the RIRA convention and were not endorsed by RIRA. We ask that you help them into office as well.

God’s speed and blessings to you, your family, friends, and our hard working candidates and all their volunteers and staff.

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives and Republican Party Closed

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Endorsements & GOTV

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Raymond McKay

We find ourselves less than two days away from one of the most important elections in this generation.

The American conservative voters and other like-minded voters throughout our state and nation now realize that our government can no longer be sustained at its current levels and that structural changes must be made at all levels of government and by all citizens.

Waking up in the morning and expecting money from the government is not the American way, nor is it what made this country great. Rhode Island’s budget shortfalls these past several years, which have been plugged by federal money, not by changes in Rhode Island government, is proof that out state and municipal governments’ way of doing business is broken and that we need and demand change.

Zebras do not change the colors of their stripes, nor will the one-party system we have in the General Assembly change itself overnight for the betterment of the people. Time and time again, the Democrats in the General Assembly have sided with unions and those looking for handouts, not with those looking to create prosperity in Rhode Island.

The answer to our financial problems is certainly NOT to increase state taxes. We must embrace one nation, one people, one language — for “United we Stand” a strong American People. Divided, we shall surely fall into the world of Socialism that will wipe out the middle class.

Change must start on many levels, from the Congress, to our Statewide offices, to the General Assembly, and all the way down to the local level.

We must all sit with our friends and family to Get Out The Vote for change. While this is one communication, it does not reach the approximately 600,000 possible voters in Rhode Island. For real change to take affect, YOU MUST become a grassroots activist and encourage your family and friends over the next day and a half to vote the Right Way this Tuesday. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Everyone should be able to find time within that fourteen (14) hour span to vote for the Right Change.

The following individuals were nominated and endorsed at the Rhode Island Republican Assembly’s Biennial Endorsement Convention back on June 12th, 2010. They were endorsed based on our by-laws, which require a two-thirds vote of those members present and eligible to vote. To the best of our knowledge — and we pay close attention — NO candidate listed has compromised his or her standing throughout the campaign season for RIRA to consider revoking their endorsement.

The 2010 RIRA endorsed candidates are:

U.S. Congress, District 1: JOHN LOUGHLIN

U.S. Congress, District 2: MARK ZACCARIA

R.I. Governor: JOHN ROBITAILLE

R.I. General Treasurer: KERNAN “KERRY” KING

R.I. Attorney General: ERIK WALLIN

RHODE ISLAND STATE SENATE:

Steve Gerling – District 18
Dawson Hodgson – District 35
Beth Moura – District 19
Dr. Chris Ottiano – District 11

RHODE ISLAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Representative Brian Newberry – District 48
Representative Joseph Trillo – District 24
Donald Botts – District 16
Timothy Burchett – District 34
Giovanni Calise – District 25
Michael Chippendale – District 40
Thomas Clupny – District 62
Doreen Costa – District 31
Phil Duquette – District 33
Daniel Gordon – District 71
William Grapentine – District 69
Michael Grossi – District 58
Matthew Guerra – District 46
James Halderman – District 35
Jennifer Hirons – District 44
Michael Picillo – District 39
Daniel Reilly – District 72
Erich Sturn – District 4

In closing, I again ask that you please sit with your family and friends over the next day and a half and discuss voting for a new lease on life by voting for the above candidates. YOU and your vote can make the change! YOU are the activist! YOU must get your friends and family out to vote so that their votes, along with yours, will ensure that change happens!

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

God’s speed and blessings to you, your family, friends, and our hard working candidates and all their volunteers and staff.

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, Rhode Island Republican Assembly
president [at] ri-ra [dot] org

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives and RIRA Closed Tags: .

Protected: RIRA & RIRA-PAC Executive Committees | October 9

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Raymond McKay

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Filed Under: Coming Events, Meetings and RIRA Closed

Primary Update: RIRA GOTV and Election Night Event

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Raymond McKay

Good evening,

It is Never the Wrong Time to do the Right Thing!!!

On the eve of the 2010 Primary Election in Rhode Island, I want to impress upon you the importance of your vote tomorrow, and in November and that of the votes of your family and friends whom you have been and will be contacting and encouraging to vote.

We Conservatives and Constitutionalists are setting the standard for which all can and will follow into the November General Election. We must not waiver, for now is the start of the peaceful revolution of change.

We have seen irresponsible budgets grow, taxes and user fees increase, and deficits soar due to a lack of leadership. The leadership must come from We The People, such leadership will let the politicians know we are watching, and we SHALL hold them accountable!!!

For if we shun our responsibility as Citizens tomorrow and in November, we shall forever loose the freedoms we grew up with and our children and grandchildren will never know.

As President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly, I am personally asking each and every recipient of this newsletter to become an engage citizen, to seize control of your government and your tax dollars, and to exercise your right and responsibility tomorrow, Tuesday September 14, 2010 and go out and vote. I further ask that you engage at least five others to join you in this effort to reshape our future.

I ask that you consider and do support the candidates below that have been endorsed by the Rhode Island Republican Assembly:

Congressional District 1: John Loughlin

Congressional District 2: Mark Zaccaria

Governor: John Robitaille

House 31: Doreen Costa

House 65: Stephanie Santos Sivalingam

After we are all done voting and supporting our candidates tomorrow, I would like to invite you to join me in attending Gubernatorial Candidate John Robitaille and his hard working campaign team’s voting results rally at the Sheraton Inn at 1850 Post Road in Warwick, RI. The doors will open to friends, supporters, and well wishers at 8:00 p.m.

Remember !!!

Get Out The Vote (GOTV) is crucial as this IS the year for Conservative Change in our State and the nation. We the People, can no longer afford to sit at home and hope things will change for the better. We must be engaged; We must be active; WE MUST VOTE !!!

Make sure all your family and friends who want TRUE and REAL Conservative change get to the polling places and vote in support of RIRA’s Endorsed Candidates.

If you do not vote for change, who will?

If you do not vote for change Tuesday, then when?

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

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Filed Under: Commentary Closed

RIRA Primary Endorsements and GOTV

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Raymond McKay

Over the summer, the Rhode Island Republican Assembly held its endorsement convention and endorsed many candidates that applied for the organization’s endorsement.

The following candidates that are involved in the Primary election this Tuesday have been endorsed by the Rhode Island Republican Assembly:

Congressional District 1: John Loughlin

Congressional District 2: Mark Zaccaria

Governor: John Robitaille

House 31: Doreen Costa

House 65: Stephanie Santos Sivalingam

RIRA encourages all Primary Voters to vote for these candidates, if you have the option to, this Tuesday, September 14, 2010. This is an important election as it will shape our November election which will enable the legal Citizens of Rhode Island to take back their state from the 70 years of Democrat and government union control.

Get Out The Vote (GOTV) is crucial as this IS the year for Conservative Change in our State and the nation. We the People, can no longer afford to sit at home and hope things will change for the better. We must be engaged; We must be active; WE MUST VOTE !!!

Make sure all your family and friends who want TRUE and REAL Conservative change get to the polling places and vote in support of RIRA’s Endorsed Candidates.

If you do not vote for change, who will?

If you do not vote for change Tuesday, then when?

If you have time to volunteer this Tuesday, please call any of the campaigns and offer your support.

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives and RIRA Closed