There are only 535 Congressmen and Senators representing a country of over 310 million Americans. Don’t you think, regardless of political party, there are better choices out there than Rep. Anthony Wiener, Senator David Vitter, Senator John Ensign, Rep. William Jefferson, Rep. Mark Foley, Rep. Larry Craig, and you can now add to that list, John “Why do I need to read the Bill” Conyers. Although Conyers’ offense seems small potatoes when contrasted with these other clowns, it is indicative of the larger problem of how removed these folks are from their constituents. I have published this VERY lewd link before from the Fat Guy in Boston (you’ve been warned), but it is a classic and a good reminder of why we need to starting cleaning out the swamp that is Washington, D.C.
Since learning about Buddy Roemer just a few days ago, I have been fantastic by this improbable candidate for President who has vowed that he will only accept political contributions of $100 or less. He comes from that great cesspool of politics, Louisiana, so you should expect him to be battle hardened. He sounds like an evangelical minister, who like Huckabee can swat away past inconsistencies with a he-who-is-without-sin tale that produces the perfect sound bite. For days now, I have been going around quoting parts of an interview I heard/watched on C-Span’s “Road to the White House” seriesto anyone who will listen. This guy is from Central Casting; and if he’s for real, he has arrived on the scene at the perfect time that, dare I say it, Mr. Roemer Goes to Washington.
Is he just another empty suit seeking office portraying himself as everyman? He did go to Harvard and has an MBA from Harvard, too. He has been in and around politics for 30 plus years. He’s been both a Democrat and a Republican. He has been a Congressman and a Governor. He has been a successfulbusiness man. Is this guy another Reagan or a populist Southern Governor like Carter? So far, I cannot find where he has turned up on anyone’s radar. Check him out. Let me know what you think.
Unfortunately, I don’t sleep much, so I have a tendency to wake up very early. Since my mind immediately engages in what I need to do for the day, the ability to fall back to sleep is virtually impossible. This morning, as is a bad habit, I started surfing the dial looking for a diversion. History Channel was a no go. Bravo had one of their inane “real Wives” shows. TMC weighed in with a bad oater. HCTV (one of my favorites) was flashing PSAs. I was almost ready to abandon the boob tube in favor of my political blogs, when I saw a face I didn’t recognize on C-Span with a voice reminiscent of a Southern backwoods preacher. Game on.
Meet Charles Elson Roemer III, aka Buddy. Actually, he was Butch until some girls renamed him in high school. Is this guy for real? I pride myself on being a political junkie of the conservative variety; and here was someone saying all the things I want to hear. Since I picked up the interview midstream, I had to learn more. I have since logged on to C-Span and listened to the interview in its entirety. And guess what, the entire 50 minutes is incredible and you can see/listen here. Why wasn’t this guy on my radar? He is now.
Several weeks or so before Sarah Palin was selected as John McCain’s running mate; I had seen her for the 1st time on one of the business channels discussing the country’s energy policy. I was blown away. Here was a politician who actually had a sensible position, because we all know how successful the Department of Energy created in 1978 has been in accomplishing its prime objective. Forgotten that founding objective? To get the U.S. off foreign oil. How’s that working out for you?
Buddy, I hope you don’t get palined. I still need to check out your social issues, but at this point you’ve got my vote. And more importantly,a contribution. Oh, what a great start to the day. I’ll see some of you this afternoon at Kanawha Plaza for the Tea Party Tax Day event. I’ll be the guy babbling about Buddy.
I have often thought that serving in Congress should be like being called for jury duty. You’d get the notice and say “oh, sh**, I have to go to Washington.” One of my favorite YouTube videos is from the Guy from Boston, who profanely but accurately describes what’s wrong with too many of our elected representatives.
This morning while pursuing some of my right wing ideological conservative whacko nut job news sources, I, for some unknown reason, decided to read about Patrick Kennedy’s decision to not stand for re-election in 2010. Here are some facts you might not know. Kennedy was elected in 1994 at the ripe old age of 27 after serving 6 years in Rhode Island House. Excuse me? Fresh from college with all that real world experience you have accumulated, you decide your 1st job should be a state representative; and the populace elects you? 6 years later, steeled by the grueling life experiences of your early 20′s, you decide to take your considerable talents to Washington … and again, you’re elected. BTW, the district Kennedy serves for Rhode Island abuts the Massachusetts’ district that is represented by Barney Franks, and has many of the same demographics.
I, for one, am glad to know that at the age of 43, Patrick can now ride off into the sunset with his full congressional pension. And Washington is going after the Wall Street boys for their golden parachutes? With pardons to John Stossel, gimme a break.
Happy Birthday, Ronald Wilson Reagan. It would be your 99th. We sure could use you now. It would be wonderful to have a President whose every word and action had not been poll tested.
Here’s a delightful insight into our 40th President. Recently, and I think it was during the State of the Union address, Obama claimed that he reads letters from the American people before retiring for bed. Reagan, too, used to read letters the White House had received from the people. Reagan liked to read these letters when he was at Camp David. After reading these letters, Reagan would hand sealed handwritten responses to certain letters to his staffers. Drove his staffers nuts, but Reagan always considered his responses to be private and personal communication.
Happy Birthday, Gipper. It’s your humility, humor and honor that I miss so much.
As Democrats point fingers as to who is responsible for the loss of the Massachusetts senate seat to Republicans, my hat tip is to David Gergen. The arrogance and obvious bias in Gergen’s question in the last senatorial debate was the launching point for Brown’s surge down the backstretch and his runaway victory. Thanks, David. Here’s the moment if you’ve forgotten it.
Oh yeah, and it looks like my old pal, Webbie, is looking for some cover. Last night on CNN, Webbie said all healthcare debate/votes should be suspended until Brown is seated.
If you read my blog, my politics should be pretty clear that I am conservative on almost all issues. Presently, I think this country is headed in the wrong direction so much so that I am advising my children they may want to pursue opportunities outside of the good ole USA. That would have been heresy for me just a few years ago.
Today, at Capitol Square, there is Tea Party rally. It’s a 10th Amendment Rally. The 10th Amendment reads “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.” Nowhere in the Constitution is it stated that Congress can mandate that all citizens must purchase a product/commodity or face a fine or imprisonment. This healthcare bill getting ready to be forced upon us is unconstitutional. Exercise your right of assembly and free speech and join me at Capitol Square this morning. There’s a shuttle service from Parker (Squirrel) Field starting at 8 a.m. The rally starts at 10 a.m. You can be home by lunch.
Gosh, it’s the 6th of January and I haven’t written our two illustrious Senators yet!?!? Well, let’s not waste any more time. Here’s my first note of the New Year:
“That the Democratic leadership has refused C Span’s request to televise the reconciliation process of the Senate’s and House’s healthcare bills is unconscionable. Where is the transparency promised by the Democratic leadership and this President. I am deeply distressed that you supported the Senate version of the healthcare bill which contained portions that cannot be repealed. This is unconstitutional. I suggest you pay close attention to events at the state Capitol on January 18, 2010. It will provide you with the insight to gauge the mood of your constituents and what your chances of continuing as a representative of the Commonwealth are.”
By the way, there is a rally at the state Capitol on Monday, January 18th. This is MLK Day, so most of you should be off. Call it a Tea Bag event, a 9-12 event, or even a Patriot event, but regardless it is a great way to show your dissatisfaction with all of our representation whether it’s at the state or national level. I plan on taking GRTC from one of the satellite parking lots. Anyone want to join me?
Last night after finishing our Christmas Eve dinner, we were still seated at the dining room table playing Table Topics. One of the topics elicited the comment from me that “I thought this country was getting ready to have the greatest swing to the right it has ever seen.” Of course, this is my hope; no, it is my prayer that this great country founded on Judeo Christian values will return to those values so wisely utilized by our Founding Fathers. This morning, while enjoying the peace of Christmas morning that can only be realized when one has almost grown children, I was reading some of my conservative blogs and found this Christmas address from Ronald Reagan. Reagan gave this address exactly at the same point in his first term as Obama is now. Let’s see; Obama gives us healthcare reform that all the Democrats say “we’ll love” once we learn more about it despite the American people saying “no”; and then flies off to Hawaii. The Gipper gives us “the hope that is America”. (This Reagan address also covered the plight of the Polish people against the Soviets and America’s determination to support them. Might be a message Obama might give to the Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians. I have edited this just for the Christmas message.)
Anyway, here’s my Christmas wishes courtesy of the The Great Communicator, Ronald Wilson Reagan.
I have often thought that serving in Congress should be like being called for jury duty. You’d get the notice and say “oh, sh**, I have to go to Washington.” One of 
Happy Birthday, Ronald Wilson Reagan. It would be your 99th. We sure could use you now. It would be wonderful to have a President whose every word and action had not been poll tested.
As Democrats point fingers as to who is responsible for the loss of the Massachusetts senate seat to Republicans, my hat tip is to David Gergen. The arrogance and obvious bias in Gergen’s question in the last senatorial debate was the launching point for Brown’s surge down the backstretch and his runaway victory. Thanks, David. Here’s the moment if you’ve forgotten it.
If you read my blog, my politics should be pretty clear that I am conservative on almost all issues. Presently, I think this country is headed in the wrong direction so much so that I am advising my children they may want to pursue opportunities outside of the good ole USA. That would have been heresy for me just a few years ago.
Last night after finishing our Christmas Eve dinner, we were still seated at the dining room table playing Table Topics. One of the topics elicited the comment from me that “I thought this country was getting ready to have the greatest swing to the right it has ever seen.” Of course, this is my hope; no, it is my prayer that this great country founded on Judeo Christian values will return to those values so wisely utilized by our Founding Fathers. This morning, while enjoying the peace of Christmas morning that can only be realized when one has almost grown children, I was reading some of my conservative blogs and found this Christmas address from Ronald Reagan. Reagan gave this address exactly at the same point in his first term as Obama is now. Let’s see; Obama gives us healthcare reform that all the Democrats say “we’ll love” once we learn more about it despite the American people saying “no”; and then flies off to Hawaii. The Gipper gives us “the hope that is America”. (This Reagan address also covered the plight of the Polish people against the Soviets and America’s determination to support them. Might be a message Obama might give to the Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians. I have edited this just for the Christmas message.)