Bob Merrick's Lincolnian Party

Before signing on as a Republican City Council contender, Bob Merrick sought to create his own political party, the Lincolnian Party.
Claiming “the American way of life is in danger,” Merrick wrote that “it is time for a change, a time to look back to ensure a strong future, a time for a new party, the Lincolnian Party.”
On the website he created for the new party – which currently says it “on vacation and will return in the near future with a new format and a new look” – Merrick wrote that its fundamental principles “are to preserve the integrity and ideals of the United States as set forth in the Constitution.”
“The Lincolnian Party,” he wrote, “is an inclusive party not interested in partisan politics but in reuniting a divided America in the tradition of Lincoln’s leadership and beliefs.”
Merrick, a math teacher at Chippens Hill Middle School, signed on as a Republican last winter. He is the sole GOP challenger to Democratic incumbents Craig Minor and Frank Nicastro in the 3rd District.
Merrick said on the site that America’s political system “has broken down into self-serving groups pushing their own agendas.”
“The Democrats, championing the anti-Iraqi war movement, have supported the promotion of liberal interests such as gay marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, abortion rights, a secular view of church and state issues and a taxpayer-funded nationalized health care plan,” he wrote.
“The Republicans have been typified as aligning themselves with the rich by favoring high income and corporate-friendly tax legislation, as well as a strong association with the religious right, and the promotion of the war with Iraq as a necessary defense against further attacks on American security by foreign terrorist groups opposed to American ideals,” Merrick wrote.
The new party’s agenda included making English the official language, a new national worker’s identification card, a fixed income tax rate for all, and a new national alternative energy research fund.
Merrick currently has at least three websites that he is actively maintaining.
His Unite Bristol site -- www.unitebristol.com – says it “is dedicated to providing area residents with information about neighborhood groups, and other items related to community revival.”
His bobforbristol.com site is dedicated to his council campaign. He also has a campaign blog at bob4bristol.blogspot.com.
The Lincolnian Party website is located online at www.newenglandopinion.com.

Merrick’s downtown proposal

On his Lincolnian Party site, GOP City Council candidate Robert Merrick proposed “that we make Bristol the sports capital of Connecticut.”
He said the city should “develop the mall site as a small venue (8,000 seats) multi-purpose arena capable of supporting an arena football team and a minor league hockey team among other activities.”
“An arena would breathe life into the downtown area and provide entertainment opportunities not only for Bristol’s residents but for central Connecticut as well,” he said.
“With the development of the arena anchor restaurants and associated businesses would be interested in locating in downtown Bristol. Additionally, many new jobs would be created for our residents,” Merrick wrote.
“This project does not have to be exclusively funded by taxpayers. We have many outstanding local citizens and businessmen capable of backing this type of project. ESPN are you listening?” Merrick said.

Link to an active site for the Lincolnian Party

Some excerpts from the Lincolnian Party website (which you can safely ignore if the above link keeps working):

Inspiration for the Lincolnian Party
In the mid-1800s the state of the Union was in jeopardy over the issue of slavery. Faced with possible expansion of slavery into Kansas and Nebraska a new third party emerged, the Republicans, made up of members from the Democrats, Whig party, Freesoilists, and Jacksonian anti-Federalists too. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican president and took office determined to maintain the integrity of the Union while preserving the principles of the constitution. His famous Emancipation Proclamation led to the freeing of slaves and set the tone for reuniting a divided America.
Abraham Lincoln was famous for crossing party lines appointing several of his political and ideological adversaries in key positions within his cabinet and administration. This structure resulted in promoting broad support for Constitutional rights of the American people.
Now, nearly a century and a half after his death, America, again, faces some of the same challenges. The two-party political system has broken down into self-serving groups pushing their own agendas. The Democrats, championing the anti-Iraqi war movement have supported the promotion of liberal interests such as gay marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, abortion rights, a secular view of church and state issues, and a taxpayer-funded nationalized health care plan. The Republicans have been typified as aligning themselves with the rich by favoring high income and corporate-friendly tax legislation, as well as a strong association with the religious right, and the promotion of the war with Iraq as a necessary defense against further attacks on American security by foreign terrorist groups opposed to American ideals.
It is time for a change, a time to look back to ensure a strong future, a time for a new party, the Lincolnian Party.
In the mid-1800s the state of the Union was in jeopardy over the issue of slavery. Faced with possible expansion of slavery into Kansas and Nebraska a new third party emerged, the Republicans, made up of members from the Democrats, Whig party, Freesoilists, and Jacksonian anti-Federalists too. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican president and took office determined to maintain the integrity of the Union while preserving the principles of the constitution. His famous Emancipation Proclamation led to the freeing of slaves and set the tone for reuniting a divided America.
Abraham Lincoln was famous for crossing party lines appointing several of his political and ideological adversaries in key positions within his cabinet and administration. This structure resulted in promoting broad support for Constitutional rights of the American people.
Now, nearly a century and a half after his death, America, again, faces some of the same challenges. The two-party political system has broken down into self-serving groups pushing their own agendas. The Democrats, championing the anti-Iraqi war movement have supported the promotion of liberal interests such as gay marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, abortion rights, a secular view of church and state issues, and a taxpayer-funded nationalized health care plan. The Republicans have been typified as aligning themselves with the rich by favoring high income and corporate-friendly tax legislation, as well as a strong association with the religious right, and the promotion of the war with Iraq as a necessary defense against further attacks on American security by foreign terrorist groups opposed to American ideals.
It is time for a change, a time to look back to ensure a strong future, a time for a new party, the Lincolnian Party.
The fundamental principles of the Lincolnian Party are to preserve the integrity and ideals of the United States as set forth in the Constitution. The Lincolnian Party is an inclusive party not interested in partisan politics but in reuniting a divided America in the tradition of Lincoln’s leadership and beliefs.
The American way of life is in danger. Divisiveness amongst our own citizens over religion, education, values, culture, and personal responsibilities have squandered some of the great wealth of opportunity offered by our nation. In an ever increasingly competitive world, now more than ever, Americans need to come together for the good of the nation!
If you want to be part of the solution not the problem, join us, the Lincolnian Party.

A Vision for Downtown Bristol
I have been a resident of Bristol, Connecticut for nearly eleven years. By Bristol’s standards I am a newcomer, an outsider. Many families have lived in Bristol for generations. It is great to see the love and commitment many long-time residents have for their community. I love it too! Bristol has a lot to offer. It has a great infrastructure, diverse population, good business base, good schools, centrally-located, affordable housing opportunities, beautiful libraries, nice parks, and is very self-contained.
As an educator, a home-rehab enthusiast, and a just plain curious guy Bristol is a great place to live. Bristol like just about any community in America is changing. Some changes are positive and some changes are not. In order for Bristol to maintain the integrity of our community we need to realize who we are and who we want to be going forward.
Bristol’s diverse population is composed of service workers, laborers, tradesmen, small-business owners, entrepreneurs, educators, craftsmen, and professionals among others. We are a considerably more diverse population than many of our surrounding towns.
There is a common bond, however, that many of our residents share, the love of sports.
Bristol loves sports. Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, you name it they watch it, attend it, play it, and support it. Little league, midget football, travel soccer, middle-school sports, high-school sports, and many others are loved in the city of Bristol. Hey, Bristol is the birthplace and home of ESPN for goodness sakes!
So what is Bristol’s identity and vision? I propose that we make Bristol the sports capital of Connecticut.
Develop the mall site as a small venue (8,000 seats) multi-purpose arena capable of supporting an arena football team and a minor league hockey team among other activities. Recently, ESPN signed a 5-year contract with the Arena Football League (AFL) taking a minority ownership position and guaranteeing television coverage. An arena would breathe life into the downtown area and provide entertainment opportunities not only for Bristol’s residents but for central Connecticut as well. With the development of the arena anchor restaurants and associated businesses would be interested in locating in downtown Bristol. Additionally, many new jobs would be created for our residents.
This project does not have to be exclusively funded by taxpayers. We have many outstanding local citizens and businessmen capable of backing this type of project. ESPN are you listening? Contact the mayor, the chamber of commerce, the town council and let them know what you think.
Remember that we need to step up and stand out, investing today, to ensure a bright future for our great community of Bristol!

Opinion Topics

A Lincolnian Party Vision for America
The fundamental principles of the Lincolnian Party are to preserve the integrity and ideals of the United States as set forth in the Constitution. The Lincolnian Party is an inclusive party not interested in partisan politics but in reuniting a divided America in the tradition of Lincoln’s leadership and beliefs.

Lincolnians believe it is time to start having honest discussions of the problems we face in our country and the world. People from all segments of American society need to come together and discuss the social problems of our citizenship without being labeled or filtered through politically-correct dialog or fear being captured on a media “sound bite.” Nothing is to be left off the table as a possible issue related to preserving the unity and cohesiveness of America as established by our founding fathers in the Constitution of the United States of America.

As founder of the Lincolnian Party, I have established a party platform to encourage participation by our citizens in upholding our liberties established in the Constitution of the United States of America. The following are highlights of some of the proposals of my party:

Unity:

Establish English as the official language of the United States.

Taxation:

Establish a fixed rate of tax on all income, interest, and dividends above the defined poverty level less any approved deductions, exemptions, or credits.
Change the capital gains schedule to reflect long-term investment according to the following:
Federal Programs, Policies, and Mandates:

All federal programs, policies, and mandates which require actions taken by state and local government agencies must contain a full-funding plan in the federal budget to meet the minimum requirements of the program, policy, or mandate in the states or local municipalities where it applies.

Education:

Each individual shall be entitled to deduct up to $2500 for post-secondary education, training, or certification for themselves and their spouses. Married couples and single parents that are eligible for child support will be allowed up to $5000 per child for post-secondary education, training, or certification.
Provide funding for high-level mathematics and science program development and implementation in line with the National Alternative Energy initiative.
Promote educational policy that focuses attention on traditional American values which embrace our history. This includes helping children recognize the contributions and importance of our great historical leaders such as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and others. Challenge schools to implement curriculum that helps students develop a solid understanding of their responsibilities as citizens and the common bond of unity they share first and foremost as Americans that are responsible, self-sufficient and hard-working contributing members of society.
Communities should be encouraged to develop a variety of educational opportunities, experiences, and settings to match the talents, skills, and abilities of their students with the needs of their community and American society.

Energy and the Environment:

Establish a National Alternative Energy Fund for research, education, and development of reduced emission and no emission fuels with the goal of establishing the United States as the world leader in this technology.
Establish a goal of making the United States energy independent by 2025.
Uphold the basic tenets of property law which allows the enjoyment an- highest and best use of a owner's property providing it doesn't infringe upon the enjoyment and highest and best use of others' property.
Restrict eminent domain use to uses that are necessary for the safety and sustainability of the community.

Civic, Family, and Social Welfare Incentives:

Provide a tax credit for documented time spent volunteering through an approved and recognized charity, church, or civic organization up to $2000 per individual.
Provide a marriage credit or child support credit of $2000 per parent. Parents paying child support will receive a credit if they are current with support payments. Parents entitled to child support will receive a credit if they have filed for child support identifying the parent responsible for payment. In any case in which the amount of the credit falls below the defined poverty level of income after deductions, credits, and exemptions then the person(s) filing would be entitled to a refund in that amount.
Provide a $15,000 annual exemption from federal and state taxes over and above the standard child deductions for each child adopted from the foster care program through age 18 or the completion of post-secondary education. The adopted child would be eligible for a federally-sponsored health care plan.
Provide an annual cash rebate for every year a former long-term recipient of welfare assistance remains employed and does not apply for assistance inversely related to the time they had received payments. For example a former recipient who had received payments for one year would be eligible for a one time rebate and a five or more year recipient would be eligible to receive rebates up to five years (capped).

Citizenship:

Allow every non-citizen currently residing in the United States to register for citizenship subject to the following:
The petitioning guest resident must not have a criminal background nor commit any crime within their guest residency period.
The petitioning guest resident pledges allegiance to respect the laws of the United States and the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States.
The petitioning guest resident must demonstrate a functional level of proficiency in English and the history of the United States within a specified period of time.
The petitioning guest resident must remain employed, capable of sustaining employment, or capable of providing for themselves and dependents while a guest resident of the United States.
Consider the granting of guest resident visas subject to the following:
All of the above requirements for current guest residents;
Fast-track admission preference for documented skills in U.S. shortage areas such as medicine, technology, engineering, and science.

Security:

Establish a national worker’s identification card containing a photograph, home address, and citizen status (resident or guest resident/expiration date). Verification of status could be checked by scanning the card through the current banking system network or verified at any local bank or town hall.
Make it unlawful to employ or provide housing for any worker that does not have or be able to provide a national identification card prior to beginning work or establishing residence.
Education and society
What is the role of education in modern society? Traditionally, education’s role has been to provide students with strong foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics so that they would be able to make informed decisions as citizens and be productive and responsible members of society.
Over the years education has expanded this mission to include addressing other areas such as health, music, art, consumer family sciences, and technology among others. Public schools have also taken on many social service roles such as counseling, health care, daycare, and providing lunch, breakfast and even dinner to the students.
Public schools historically have had the values of American society embedded in their curriculum. Textbooks and other class materials often contained stories, biographies, and content that promoted positive character traits, actions, and outcomes. Starting in the late 60s and early 70s public education began to evolve and took on a more liberal role which mirrored a changing society. Traditional American values were called into question with some groups claiming they were exclusionary and narrow. Disagreements and controversy followed by waves of minority-interest based litigation led to legislation being passed that translated into public education "sanitizing" policies, procedures, and curriculum so as not to have the appearance of offending anyone. Many public schools adopted self-esteem programs which gave validity to everyone’s values and beliefs which in essence meant that there weren’t any common values or beliefs.
Concurrently, American society was challenging many traditional values and beliefs in the public arena becoming more secular in nature. Political correctness took hold leaving American society and the role of public education facing an identity crisis.
The modern, politically-correct secular view is not all inclusive however. Judeo-Christian beliefs and values such as those held by many of the founding fathers of America are not given fair representation in public education or our government.
The result of this attitudinal shift has manifested itself in many undesirable societal outcomes such as an increasingly self-centered, self-serving citizenship. Leaders, politicians, celebrities, and other visible members of society are often more respected because of their status and media coverage than their character. Instead of young people looking up to role models with values such as honesty, integrity, hard work, and humility the role models they chose often exude character traits and behaviors that are selfish, indulgent, immoral, and vane. As Martin Luther King Jr. once stated "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Doesn’t American society need to make its core values clear so that its citizens can develop positive character traits?
Where do we go from here? It is time to start having honest discussions of the problems we face in our country and the world. People from all segments of American society need to come together and discuss the social problems of our citizenship without being labeled or filtered through politically-correct dialog or fear being captured on a media "sound bite." Nothing is to be left off the table as a possible issue related to preserving the unity and cohesiveness of America as established by our founding fathers in the Constitution of the United States of America.
Schools need to refocus attention on traditional American values by embracing our history. This includes helping children recognize the contributions and importance of our great historical leaders such as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and others. Additionally, students need to develop an understanding of their responsibilities as citizens and the common bond of unity they share first and foremost as Americans. School curriculum must be implemented that promotes the development of responsible, self-sufficient citizens that are hard-working contributing members of society. A variety of educational opportunities, experiences, and settings must be provided to match the talents, skills, and abilities of the students with the needs of society.
Abraham Lincoln took on the challenge of preserving the state of the Union in the mid-1800s. Concerned American citizens, the new Lincolnians, must take on the challenge of reuniting a fragmented American society for the future of our children and our country.



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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com