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On Friday night, two CT Examiner reporters walked the floor of the Republican Convention at Foxwoods Resort Casino, talking with attendees.
A Bloomfield resident, Robert Ike, told us that Republicans have improved Connecticut, but the Democrats are “killing” the state.
“The government wants to take money out of my pocket and give it to somebody else who wants to throw money at everything,” he said. “All [the Democrats] want to do is tax and spend.”
Ike described himself as a “lifelong” Republican and said Connecticut must continue to fight for Republican beliefs and values.
“Hopefully, more people will see that Republicans stand for strong families and communities,” he said. “It is a good and livable way of life.”
Democrats need to use the existing programs to improve the state, said Ike. “[The Democrats] have no financial control.”
Eva Maldonado, from Bristol, said she was born and raised in Connecticut and is a “proud Republican,” and wants her state to “do better.”
“We need to have better schools, better jobs, better everything,” she said.
She said that Connecticut needed to be more stern with young adults to establish in them a sense of growth and responsibility.
“It’s not about the touchy-feely things,” she said. “It’s about giving our students who are in college what they need to survive in this community.”
Maldonado said Connecticut is losing college students because it is “not a welcoming state.” She also said that senior citizens are not cared for.
“Connecticut has families that are not doing well because our laws have kept them below the poverty line,” she said.
Maldonado supports Bob Stefanowski for governor because, she said, he’s been more involved with the state than Lamont has. “We need to have a government for the people.”
Faith Ham, a Cheshire resident, said Connecticut needs to be more aware of its inalienable rights. “We were founded on the premise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
But Ham said that Connecticut residents must have job opportunities to improve poverty rates.
“This [type of] system will lift people out of poverty to achieve success,” she said.
Sandra Thompson, a New Preston resident, said inflation was an issue that could drive her out of Connecticut.
“My propane, which used to be $89 a month, is almost $200 a month,” Thompson said. “I live with my son and I’m raising my granddaughter. My grocery bill went from $200 to almost $300.”
Thompson said she moved to New Preston because it was a safe town, but her financial struggles might force her to move out of state.
“I cannot afford to stay in Connecticut if things do not change in two years,” she said.
Thompson said she is sympathetic towards the “homeless veterans and senior citizens who live on the street.”
But Thompson also said she is ‘upset’ with Gov. Lamont for keeping abortions legal in Connecticut.
“We have got inflation and it is crazy,” she said. “Lamont won’t help [the homeless,] yet he wants to help women get abortions.”