Time to Move Past GOP…

We just handed a historical crushing electoral win to the Republican Party in November that came with a mandate to reduce and control the federal government. It was not because the republicans earned our votes; it just happens they are the only alternative to the insanity on the left. In the voting booth, many held their noses, many were proud to send Tea Party candidates, but all voters were putting politicians on notice that if you drift we will punish. I know Republicans don’t have the internal constitution to do what America needs; reduced constitutional government but what alternative did we have?

Yesterday the Republicans were touting how they have “compromised” a deal to extend the Bush tax rates for everyone. Extending the tax rates for everyone is good but if they didn’t get a deal done in the lame duck it would have happened in the new Congress. The “compromise” was extending unemployment that is now going on two years and the “Death” tax (estate tax). My question is why compromise anything?

Politics is in the state it is because of compromise. I and many others hired these people to stand on principle. Principles are not to be compromised. The death tax is immoral and all of the assets that are passed down in an estate have already been taxed or are being taxed. This class warfare against working Americans is a disgrace and those that participate in perpetuating the myth that these successful Americans have somehow received a special break is ignorance, and usually an argument used to benefit left leaning democrats for their left leaning constituency.

Why compromise the principles that hard work needs to be rewarded? Why extend unemployment benefits because of government incompetence? Unemployment insurance after the first extension is welfare. Those that are turning down work because it pays less than unemployment are choosing to be welfare recipients. Many two income families are taking any benefit that is given but have also reduced their efforts to find work as long as not working continues to pay. Are there people that need help? You bet. But unemployment benefits are not the mechanism. I have known a dozen people that have been laid off, and I know a dozen people that have found work. Not always the work they want, but work to keep paying the bills for now.

That is the American spirit and principle. These are the people that need to be rewarded by reducing government and increasing certainty so the private sector will invest and therefore create jobs.

The republican’s focus should not be unemployment extensions. The focus should be on why the job creation engine is not starting. And the answer is simple; too much government interference. The voters know it and it is why they sent a new congress to Washington. Instead of compromising on unemployment extensions the Republicans need to do what they were hire to do; reduce government.

So it begins. The Republicans have already prepared us for 2012. We need to find a new home for our hopes and dreams for America’s future. We need politicians grounded in constitutional government. We need to strengthen the Tea Party movement to prepare for the inevitable disappointment we are going to get from the Republican Party. They don’t get it. They are willing to compromise at a time when they have the country with them like no other time in history.

If the GOP will not stand on principle now; they will never do it…

The Party System is Being Trumped by the Constitution…

The GOP is showing its true colors as the Tea Party continues to throw the old guard out in primary elections. They are taking the ball and going home. They are giving up a number of fights by withholding money from the duly elected candidates in the Republican Primaries.

It is a circle the wagon attitude by the two parties as the political class is being thrown from power by the power of the people. Both democrats and republicans that have enjoyed the power given to them by the people and are now criticizing the will of the people by inflicting harsh attacks and tactics against the same people they supposedly work for.

The Tea Party is a true revolution in this country and the parties in power are the target. It is not the same old game of party politics. The people want their country back from the people currently controlling the game. The control is being lost and the elites don’t like it. The Tea Party candidates can and will win with or without the national party apparatus. The party elite don’t understand the depth of the anger in the electorate this year.

The GOP is showing its true colors to the people and the people don’t like what they see. It is not a good time to be a party insider. The culmination of years of neglecting the electorate has congealed this election cycle. We will see an end to political contributions to national party organizations and an increase in the direct infusion of cash to individual candidates. That is the way it should be. It is bad enough that the parties have abused the money given to them by the people by spending lavishly on jets and caviar, but when you abuse the people that donate you will eventually have no one left to abuse.

This is truly a revolutionary year. Never underestimate the power of an informed and passionate electorate. The only allegiance many voters have this year is to the constitution. That allegiance will be on display in November…

Why is This Third Party Candidate Different?

I left the GOP several years ago because I felt the party put itself before the cause. The cause I believed to be a dedication to fiscal responsibility, traditional family values, and constitutional limited government. At the federal level the GOP only survives because the rules in the Congress make sending any candidate but a republican or democrat detrimental to the district. That must change but that is not what this post is about. The state level GOP can’t afford to lose anymore voters but they seem to be embracing a strategy to do just that.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that the GOP candidate is the only choice for conservatives and the only way to win is to ignore third parties. Now all of a sudden there are people in the GOP that support a third party candidate Tom Tancredo. Granted Tom was recently a republican, but he has jumped ship. Why is he even in the calculus of the GOP strategy to take back the governorship in Colorado? I don’t get it? Where are all of those Republican leaders that have been preaching for years against third parties? Why are they trying to broker a deal to get Dan Maes, the winner of the GOP primary out of the race? Why are they insisting on undermining the will of their own constituency? Do they really think that a handpicked candidate by party leaders will endear them to the independent and tea party voters?

I know I’m not as smart as the people over at ColoradoPols, but I think I represent the voter most likely to support a conservative candidate, and if the GOP doesn’t get behind their candidate, why should I or anyone else for that matter support the GOP? Many of us have principles that are more important than just winning elections, and if the GOP handpicks anyone other than the current candidate, I will vote for all other offices and write-in a candidate for Governor. I will not accept usurping the will of the voters of Colorado by some leadership group because isn’t that what we as conservatives deplore about the left? The Supreme Court legislating from the bench, the democratic leadership voting against the will of the people. What would make this different?

The problem with the parties is they get caught up in the party politics and forget about the real goal; getting back to limited constitutional government; creating a strong economic landscape for business; bringing state wages and benefits in line with the people that pay them; ending the sanctuary city supported by the democratic nominee for Governor to name a few goals.

The GOP seems to be imploding and I feel for Dan Maes and the sensible republicans that have come out in support. But it seems to me the leadership has not gotten the message that the voters don’t want party politics as usual. That is why Dan Maes has continued to “surprise” the GOP at every opportunity the voters have had the chance to express themselves. The voters will do it again if they just get behind their candidate and stop trying to be “King” makers. Let the process move forward and support your constituency. Tancredo can be ignored just like every other third party candidate…

The Party of the “Working” man and the Party of “Limited Government”…

You would think the party of the “working” man (Democratic Party) and the Party that claims to be for “limited government” (Republican Party) would be sensitive to the “average” American out in the real world struggling to make ends meet. The latest report of the two parties lavish spending is out and the spending suggests that neither party lives up to the claims they make.

Both national parties have raised over $100,000,000 (one hundred million) dollars in campaign contributions and many of those contributions come from people that believe each party has their interest at heart. But what they really have at heart is their comfort and lavish lifestyle.

Limos, booze, luxury restaurants and hotels, nearly a million in office supplies, corporate/private jets, golf, fishing, and meetings in Hawaii are typical expenditures. Officials from both parties suggest they have to spend money to get the big donors to contribute. These expenditures totaled $60,000,000 (sixty million) for the democrats and $74,000,000 (seventy four million) for the republicans.

Read the article yourself. Don’t get me wrong here, I believe they can spend the money any which way they want to, and for the places and people they are spending the money on, it is good for their economy. But don’t tell we the people that you represent them. Both parties are part of the culture of corruption that has permeated our government.

They raise money by demonizing each other and they are doing quite well. This is a game to them and they are taking your hard earned contributions and rubbing them in your face. How often do you get private limos in Hawaii, after boozing it up on your private corporate jet? These people are telling you they are going to change the government. It sounds like the way they spend their money, they are just as corrupt, unaccountable, and as out of control as the government they say they want to change.

Is this the change any of us want?

A question for those that plan to support the GOP candidates in 2010…

I became an unaffiliated candidate because like many of the tea party and 9/12 activists, I am frustrated with what seems to me to be a lack of common sense governance and the abandonment of principles of our elected officials. After more than 15 years in the GOP I became convinced that the party was more interested in elections, not the constitution. I had to ask myself; what is so hard to understand about the US Constitution, and not spending more than you make? Even under republican control, the federal government kept growing and I kept wondering; what is the GOP’s idea of limited constitutional government? I came to the conclusion they believe in big government, just not as big as the democrats. I don’t believe the Republican Party is the same as the Democratic Party, I only believe that they are not capable of fixing a system that works quite well for them. When the democrats screw up or go overboard as they are right now, they are there to “save” the day. But looking at where we continue to go, no matter which party controls power, is a direction further and further from our constitution and founding principles. They talk a great game and there are some very eloquent candidates but I look at results. And the results are clear which is why people are paying such close attention.

There are only two parties responsible for the mess we are in; the Democratic and Republican Parties. No other parties or candidates have even been given a chance. Maybe this time it will be different. Maybe this time instead of hoping for a different result we try someone not in the party. The principles seem simple but seem to have been forgotten by the parties.

Here are some easy to understand principles I believe in but the GOP seems to have forgotten:

• The United States federal government was created by the states to manage a few limited tasks that were better suited to be centralized like defense and foreign affairs, not the other way around. The federal government gets its authority from we the people as so eloquently stated in the Tenth Amendment “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”, not the other way around.

• When we send representatives to Washington, just because one party has one more member than the other party, they should not control every agenda item to be debated in congress. The parties have created those rules, the parties can change them. The congress is supposed to be made up of American representatives not Republicans and Democrats fighting amongst themselves for power.

• Almost every state in the union has a provision in their constitution that requires a balanced budget every year. That is good fiscal policy. The states need to demand the same of the federal government or they will not support the federal government. The states can constitutionally stop their support of an out of control and unresponsive federal government. Just read and learn your constitution.

• Giving hard earned tax dollars to unions or big business is bad policy. If the GOP is a party of limited government, how come the government keeps growing leaps and bounds under their leadership?

What are the principles of government? To give special groups special favors because they vote? Take tax dollars from producers and give it to party supporters? Control people’s lives so they don’t have to make decisions? I know these are not our founding principles but they seem to be our current principles.

What is the goal of the GOP? We know the democrats want a cradle to grave government but I thought the GOP wanted limited government. But I have to ask; limited in what context? Compared to the democrats limited means they still want a huge bureaucracy running your life; it will be better because their people will be republican appointees. Does the GOP believe in our founding principles so clearly laid out in the constitution? Do we trust them?

I believe that big government destroys individual opportunity just like our founders believed. I believe that a return to the original intent of the constitution, although difficult, is what we must do, and every state governor must do everything in their constitutional powers to stop the federal government from destroying our children’s future. I believe that the Declaration of Independence is as valid today as it was when Thomas Jefferson penned it. I believe government today has become a business that is competing with the same industries it is supposed to serve. I believe we owe our children a future without the debt caused by our government’s selfish and greedy behavior. It is not a sacrifice to stop taking money from some to give to others; it is our moral and constitutional obligation.

The GOP is focused on winning the election in 2010. Why?

Why Republicans Have a Problem in 2010…

An excerpt from a great post at Town Hall by Armstrong Williams:

“This sounds to me like the same shenanigans Republicans pulled when they ran the show in Washington earlier this decade. I worry it signals they haven't learned their lesson: that good governing requires making hard choices and telling people "No" some of the time. And I also worry that Republicans actually buy into the idea that government spending, as long as it's done right, is good for the economy.”

This is one of the problems with being tied to a party. When the individual decisions are made by politicians the entire party is blamed. It works the other way as well. When the party takes a stand on an issue all individual party members are painted with the same brush.

Tonight in Colorado Springs two Republican candidates face off for the fight for their party’s nomination. They are two individuals that will govern differently if elected but they will be painted with the same brush by their opponents. They will also be expected by the party to tow the line when it comes to policy at the state house. We are a country that was built on individual liberty and spirit so why do any of these politicians need to belong to a party?

My question to the party supporters out there, who by the way are a minority of people eligible to vote; Why do we need a party candidate in the Governor’s seat? Why can’t a candidate with no affiliation execute that role effectively? My guess is the party supporters have no good answer for that question. The answers I have heard is party politicians have “experience”. Really? How has that “experience” been working for us as a country?

In the meantime we watch the political parties paint each other with broad brushes, make policy decisions to protect the party, and the citizens of Colorado and our country get shafted again with candidates that are shackled by party politics. I am confident the leadership I will provide will take into consideration one party; the individual citizen of Colorado.

It is time that we elect an individual not connected to the “power” players and the special interests that have given us the current mess we are in. We can do better. As suggested by Armstrong Williams; the Republicans will revert to the same old shenanigans once they have secured your vote. How do we know that? Just look at their records and our balance sheet…

Tea Party, Grassroots, and Party Politics…

The Republican Party is aggressively courting the members of the Tea Party groups, 9/12 members and the many liberty based groups that have grown in number due to their frustration with the Republican Party and politicians in general. Many of the members in these groups are frustrated republicans that want their party back. Back to the principles many believed were the platform they signed on to support. Republicans are not the only people that are frustrated, there are many people that are new to the process and they want the current government intrusion into their lives stopped. These people are very worried about their children’s future, as well as their own. They represent a significant part of these grass roots efforts.

There is no general statement you can make about any of these group members because if you dig into the reasons people have joined there is a diverse pool of ideas and priorities. The common threads I have heard are; fiscal responsibility, founding principles, which is another way of saying constitutional government, and common sense. There seems to be little sense at all in government, never mind common sense. But these groups know that the system is fundamentally broken.

My campaign is about getting back to our founding principles and I am no different than many of the people that have chosen to get involved in all of these groups; I have just chosen to go toe to toe with the politicians promising another round of, well, promises. I would never question any of the wonderful people getting involved in these groups to show “credentials” for becoming politically active. So why would people question ordinary citizens like myself about why I “qualify” or what “experience” I have to be Governor? Has government been so efficient that we can’t try someone who doesn’t spend his day distributing taxpayer money, instead spends his day creating and nurturing business? Are we going to continue to support “experienced” politicians that are responsible for this mess?

There are a couple of qualifications that most elected offices require; proper age, and citizen status. I exceed the age by many years and I am a citizen. What I am discovering and what is really apparent is that the questions come mostly from Republican Party members focused on one thing, winning back “their” power. They have this notion that there is a proper protocol to become a candidate and if you don’t start at the bottom and work your way through their ranks, you are not worthy. I can understand their determination to win back power, but they need to understand they have had power before and people are upset with the way they utilized it. I was in the Republican Party for over 15 years and I believe that the reform has to come from the hard lessons an election can teach entrenched politicians. If we elect a Republican we must do it not because of the party but because of the candidate.

I believe it will be important to beat the Democrats this year, not because the candidate is a democrat, but because democrats mostly believe the government is the answer, and I also don’t believe the Republicans should be handed a victory because they are not democrats. The Tea Party, 9/12, and liberty groups have really stirred the political “pot” this year by taking away control of the election process from the two parties. Maybe it is time to send a strong message that we are not only going to take away the process; we will choose the candidate based on ideas and not on the letter next to their name…

Don’t Get Fooled Again!

I was listening to Bill Bennett’s radio show this morning with guest host, former Republican Senator from PA Rick Santorum; described why he believed term limits was bad with a caller. He actually said term limits of 12 or 20 years were fine, but really, why have them at that point. His logic was that if you have term limits the only people that will know what is going on, will be the staff of the politicians not the politicians. Here is the problem with that logic; government should not be so involved with our lives that politicians can’t figure out what is going on within a four, eight, or 12 year time frame.

I wish every American paid attention to politics, then there would be no need for term limits but unfortunately that is not the case. I am not going to make an argument here for or against but the fundamental problem with the two parties is they want to keep power. It is not about limited government, it is about what new and expanded government program can be delivered by each party. Republicans have their pet supporters and democrats have another set of supporters. Both parties foster special interest politics over constitutional government.

The Republican Party can’t be trusted. There are some republican candidates that have conservative principles but neither party even talk about constitutional government. Constitutional government is not “sexy” but it is the law.

So as you review your choices in 2010, remember the line from that great song by the rock group the “Who”; don’t get fooled again! I guarantee that if you simply vote republican you will be disappointed. And when you are considering the Governor races around the country, support the candidates that are talking about the Tenth Amendment and stopping the federal government at the state level.

If you do that, term limits will be less important at the federal level and you will not be fooled again. The parties have lost sight of the founding principles of our government. A party that has lost their principles can’t be trusted…

McInnis and GOP choose party over Colorado at Pinyon Canyon…

As a member of the Republican Party most of my political life, now unaffiliated, I am disappointed that party candidate McInnis has chosen party over the state he hopes to represent as Governor of Colorado. If the EPA or the Department of Commerce were leading a charge to take 100,000 acres of Colorado land, where would Scott McInnis stand, and those that support this GOP position? Would the GOP and McInnis be supporting the takeover of land by one of these federal bureaucracies? Maybe they would. You can’t tell where the GOP stands anymore, they seem to negotiate any value for votes these days.

So what makes this land grab different? It is still a bureaucracy leading the land grab but it is a military bureaucracy. That is the rub. The GOP doesn’t want to have to defend on principle that they are questioning anything about the military. That might look like the GOP doesn’t support the military. That is the red herring. Colorado and most republicans support the military, and Colorado is home to significant numbers of veterans and active military. But is this a military issue? Is there evidence that this expansion is necessary to the success of the military? Is there evidence that without this land our military warriors will be put in danger? Or is this an opportunity for a military bureaucracy to increase power and control over the future Army operations? Honestly I don’t know the motive since it seems to be unclear on the “why” of this latest expansion.

All indications are that military operations are relying more on technology and less on human resources. Our military is the best trained in the world on both tactical ground operations as well as technology driven operations. It is guaranteed with the current democratic administration and congress that budgets are going to be cut because the left hates our military. So if this is the case, what is the argument for the expansion? Money and jobs? Is that what it all comes down to? Money and jobs? Where is the principle? And when the military in the future decides to leave, where does the Colorado ranching industry stand then? Our ranchers are critical to our economy as well. And these farmers are committed to the stewardship of Colorado land and Colorado. Can we say that of the military bureaucracy and the politicians in Washington that decide military funding?

Put yourself in the shoes of our fellow Coloradans that have spent their life on these ranches that are critical to the heritage and economy of our state. These good folks should not be put into a situation that defending their land means they’re anti military. That is a false premise. I believe if they believed this land grab had merit and the facts supported the effort, they could be convinced. But the evidence to date seems to be contrary or non- existent to support the expansion. These Colorado residents deserve better from their state elected officials. I expect it from our federal representatives because they have sold their souls to central government but someone running for the Governor of Colorado has to think beyond the image of the party and do what is right for the citizens of our state.

I will stand by our Colorado families as Governor. Will the federal government and military bureaucracy threaten to take their bases and expansions somewhere else if these folks don’t sell their land? They will surely threaten. I have to ask the residents of Colorado; what price do we put on principle? What price do we put on our land? At what cost do we give up our state sovereignty to a bunch of bureaucrats, even if they work for the military?

I need your help…

Can someone tell me how to get people to pay attention to my campaign? I believe I have the message, I am principled, fairly educated, a dedicated family man, and a successful business man.

People seem to want a change from the politics as usual but they continue to vote for the same old same old. I truly don’t get it? I know you have to get your message out but it seems that many people are searching for different candidates but they are not supporting any except for party candidates. How can we expect change if we keep supporting the parties that have made this mess? Even radio personalities that I respect make the argument for supporting the Republican Party that has failed us over and over.

The republicans are arguing they are the party to stop the current assault on the American Dream but when they were in charge, where were they on the issues? They were pushing open borders, they were afraid to stand up to the global warming hoax until recently with the revelation of falsified data, and they kept growing government at every level. What makes anyone believe they have changed? To me it’s like supporting an alcoholic. We keep enabling the behavior by giving them the means to have another drink. Except we keep giving them our votes.

I am planning to petition onto the ballot, and I hope at that point people pay attention. But it seems hypocritical to me that all of these pundits and voters keep talking about how the parties have failed us but they keep supporting them. Maybe this guy or gal will be different. Maybe Palin is the answer, maybe Newt is the answer, maybe Mitt is the answer, maybe Huckabee is the answer, maybe we should just try something and someone new for a real change.

We have a mess and both parties are to blame. It is the quest for power that is causing the problems. It has become about “controlling” the house, senate, governorships, etc…, instead of serving according to our constitutional law.

Please help me understand? Do we want candidates strictly from the parties? Why are we so afraid of individuals that stand for the constitution, principles, and are not part of the party apparatus? I am curious because I believe we are ready for candidates that care for our country first, not a party…

Am I wrong?

No Party; Period…

I was listening to one of my favorite talk show hosts Mark Levin last night and he was discussing third parties, and the way they have failed in the past. And his points were correct but he missed the true point; the party system is broken. He was arguing that the people like me who are done with the Republicans want a third party; that couldn’t be further from what I and millions of Americans want.

What average Americans want is political leaders that put country first, and are committed to the founding principles of this nation. We want all parties to start acting like Americans first.

Hugh Hewitt, another talk show host I respect often maligns his audience members that question the Republican Party’s commitment to conservative principles. He is right when he argues that there is a difference between R’s and D’s, but he does not realize how deeply angered we are from the past actions of both parties. There are principles that cannot be ignored by the republicans and expect the support of conservative Americans (which is most of us). George Bush, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Olympia Snow, and so many others continually ignore the fundamental law of the land; our constitution.

When is the last time you heard a Republican talk about the U.S. Constitution? They don’t because every one of them believes in big federal government. It is only a matter of degrees between D’s and R’s. Both are ignoring our founding principles and have no plan to reduce the scope of federal government.

We need radical and bold changes that return us to the greatest vision of self government that was ever created. That is what most of us mean when we suggest there is no difference in the parties. We know it is better for our troops and taxes to have Republicans in charge. But republicans are the lesser of the two evils.

When we elect representatives to go to Washington, every one of them should have an equal say in directing policy but because of the rules the parties have implemented, that is not how it works. The parties can change the rules to make them better for America but they will not because they believe in power over patriotism. That is a fact; the facts are abundant supporting my argument.

We are done with parties. We don’t want a third party, we want principled leaders that put their self interest aside and do what is right for America. We are in this predicament because the rules have made the power of the democrats greater than it should be. The rules must change and the power returned to the states and individuals where it belongs.

When our representatives gather under the rotunda they should be representing America not their party. And that is what has happened no matter what anyone says…

Doug Lamborn; Pursuing National Monument Status for Pike’s Peak?

OK, as a resident of the 5th Congressional District, of which Doug Lamborn is my representative in congress, I have to wonder, is the issue of making Pike’s Peak a national monument a reflection of Doug Lamborn’s congressional priorities? I look at the pending resolutions in the house against Turkey and its implications for our troops, I look at the illegal immigration problem, housing and credit crunch, I think Social Security (first baby boomer just retired), the assault on our healthcare system by the democrats , and I think; National Monument?

I know he has to multi task and take on the important issues along with the not so important issues, but did Rep Lamborn actually ask anyone if this was an issue or priority? I don’t get it. If I was the representative from the 5th district with 5 military bases and thousands of troops deployed, I would be parked outside Speaker Pelosi’s door arguing the impact of the Turkey resolution, building coalitions of republicans and democrats that have military families in their districts, and do whatever it took to kill the resolution. I would be fighting the Social Security, Healthcare, and National Security issues every day I was in Washington. I assume Doug is? I don’t know, he’s pretty stealth to me, and I look for news of our representatives time in Washington, and I don’t know what he’s doing? Do you?

OK, I admit, I hope to run against him in 2008, but he is a sitting duck in my opinion based on perception. Maybe he has a list of things he has accomplished that I don’t know about but if a National Monument is what he thinks will impress voters, he is mistaken. National Monument status brings along with it Federal “strings”, and jeopardizes one of our greatest tourist attractions, and one of the sources of our water supply; this is a status we can do without.

We need less government intervention not more which is what I thought Doug Lamborn touted in his election campaign. We are in a battle between conflicting approaches to government; democrats that believe government should be involved cradle to grave, and republicans (conservatives) that believe we need to provide a framework for individual people and business to flourish. So I ask, why does Doug want to encourage the Federal Government to start dabbling in the heart of our community? I am confused. I admit that’s not hard to do because I am just common Polk, so maybe someone can enlighten me. Doug has been in government for a long time. Maybe too long, if this is what he thinks is important to pursue. Just a thought…

The “Fred” Factor…

No not the book “The Fred Factor” by author Mark Sanborn (good book by the way), but the “Fred Thompson Factor”, and his decision to join the republican presidential contenders seeking the office. Will it be a “factor” at all?

I heard Laura Ingraham interview the Senator this morning and I liked him. Didn’t love him, and he didn’t impress me as a guy that is going to bring the “Reagan Factor” to the race, which is much needed. In all fairness, Fred can never be Reagan. He even stated on the show that Reagan was unique and he has never claimed that he was or could ever be Ronald Reagan. I happen to be reading the Reagan Diaries (an awesome read if you loved Reagan), and he was the real deal. We will be double blessed if we ever uncover another Reagan in our lifetime. But Fred is not that guy.

I think it was a big mistake for Fred to announce on Leno rather than join the NH debate. The debate far outnumbered Leno in viewers, and the viewers watching the debate were the voters Fred needed to connect with to win the primary. Bad choice, yesterday’s news. Moving forward we will see if he makes another bad decision like that. We’ll be watching.

I am still not “jazzed” about the current field although there are a number of good men in the race. I really wish there was a conservative woman in the race. I think we could be served well by a number of the current candidates if elected. I could live with Romney or Huckabee, possibly Rudy but I am already getting NYC fatigue (and I am a native New Yorker!).

Based on Fred’s entrance into the race, we have seen him at his peak. I hope I’m wrong and he starts to ignite some kind of passion in me, but I am not holding my breath. The only thing I know for sure; there is no democrat in the race that I would be comfortable calling president. And for those that would say there is no democrat I could embrace as president; you’re right. So if it is Fred instead of a democrat, then let it be Fred. Just a thought…

Doug Lamborn threatens constituents…

Now even a novice politician knows better than to threaten voters for voicing their opinion. Someone like Doug Lamborn, a political “fixture” in the Republican Party should have known better than to call up a couple of constituents, and leave a threatening voice mail for all to hear. Even if Doug disagreed with his constituent’s opinion, threatening their free speech is not the way to go. I have always criticized his ability to articulate issues, and his uneasiness in a crowd, and my belief he lacks leadership skills, but this is bad. This is not a rookie mistake, this shows total incompetence.

I am so glad I am running unaffiliated this year but I have to be selfish here; I hope he is the Republican nominee. If he beats Jeff Crank which is highly unlikely unless there is a three or four way primary race, I may actually have a shot if I petition onto the general ballot. Either way this incumbent representative is in deep trouble as a candidate already. There is a theory out there called the “Likability Factor” and it determines why people gravitate to some and not others. People gravitate to people they “like”. If the theory holds true, Doug has a real uphill battle on his hands in 2008. Especially if he is going to continue to threaten the people he hopes will vote for him. Just a thought…

Can the two party system be fixed?

When I chose to leave the Republican Party it was not an action that I took lightly and here is why. It is “conventional wisdom” , that if you do not have party support (either D or R) you have no chance of winning any national election; but will that “wisdom” continue to hold with the current actions of both parties?

- Both parties are addicted to power rather than a vision for our
country
- The parties see all things through the lens of what it means to
the party rather than the country
- The parties in congress have created rules
that favor, longevity, political favors, towing the line, and committee
chairmanships that have shifted the balance of power from individual congressman
to party control and obedience.

The founders of this nation were quite concerned with the formation of “parties” and believed they were bad for the country. They believed the system would fracture the country and make it difficult to unite around a common cause, therefore undermining the common good of the infant nation. It was a foresight that took over 200 years to gel but I believe their concerns are well founded and have now become the fear they envisioned. Obviously the party system survived but what is it that has helped foster its survival? The voter’s tolerance and lack of choice of viable independent candidates and a system that punishes voters of districts that fail to tow the party line. The parties do this by controlling chairmanships of committees, and making it “impossible” for “outside” congressman to get anything done while in congress.

The people of this nation are voting for the party system with their feet. The “unaffiliated” voter is the fastest, and now the largest single category of voters in this nation. There are pockets of party strength in the country, Colorado Springs for example, is still strongly republican but it is changing. It is changing because the party has become a “who you know”, not what you can do for the country, party. It is a “good old boys& girls” club and you must put in your time to be considered a viable candidate. What the party is producing today are followers, not leaders. The people that make it through the system are willing to trade principals for money, principals for power, and principals for the chance to become a candidate for office. The candidate of the party is a product of insider trading, a lack of principal, and an indebtedness of their few supporters in the party.

Some would call this “paying your dues”. I don’t believe that as an American I have to prove myself to anyone but the voter. I want to be unencumbered by the “chains” of anyone thinking they have been responsible for getting me to office. I will get to office through my ideas and actions, not the anointment of the “power players” of the party.

The people are crying for leadership as the party candidates are promising fringe groups a seat at the table. The people that want to abort babies up to the ninth month, people that believe the moon landing was fake and 9/11 was a George Bush conspiracy, business coalitions that want cheap labor at any cost, individual lobbies that are ruining our healthcare system by supporting private insurance companies rather than the market; while the issues that need our attention are put to the side because they are hard or controversial. Our borders are open to terrorists, and gang members, our social security system and healthcare system are crumbling under government control and regulation, we are fostering generation after generation of minority poverty through support of a failed education system, and every election our party “leaders” promise that they can fix it. They can’t because they are indebted to the people that are getting them elected; Planned Parenthood, Daily KOS, Moveon.org, the open border lobbyists and big business cheap labor lobbyists, insurance company lobbyists, and AARP. We have fractured beyond repair. The only answer is to bypass the morass of the party “chains” and go straight to the voter.

The party system is broken and our country is crying out for leadership. We must break the back of blind self interest and focus on common self interest; we must break the back of the rules that favor parties over individual congressman in the halls of congress; we must engage the values that made this country great and stop cow towing to donors rather than good values and vision.

It is my belief the only way either party will reform is if good people leave and stop donating. I will build coalitions with individual congressmen that believe in America’s future. I know I’m not alone; I can feel it! I am a born leader in my mind; I just have to convince others to change theirs. No small task but if you have read my book, I like a challenge. Please join me in changing a broken system. It will be fun; that’s a promise I am willing to make. Just a thought…

I have left the Republican Party

Today I went to the El Paso county offices to change my registration to "unaffiliated" from Republican. It was a big decision for me since I have been in the party for nearly 20 years. I will be running in 2008 as a general election candidate free from any party politics. I don't know if the strategy will work but it doesn't matter because it is the right thing to do. The party is off course and the party politics are undermining the efforts of good people in the congress. I think we need more non party candidates to run in 08 but I will not hold my breath.

So today marks the day "I left the party". I look forward to running over the parties in the election. Just a thought...