Monday, April 5, 2010

Who Votes for These People?



Seriously, who votes for these people? He should really be concerned about all those American Sailors. Some of our ships are operating dangerously close to the edge of the world.

My Number one, So Far

If I were to vote today for the senate nomination, I would vote for Tim Bridgewater. Tim is a real down to earth guy. Easy to talk to and has a good head on his shoulders. I had the chance to speak one on one with him for about 20 minutes Friday night. He has some great ideas, many of which I have thought about in the past few years. He is a fair tax supporter but would consider a flat tax if that was what could pass. Like me he believes an income tax punishes productivity, hurting the economy it needs to raise funds. He wants energy independence. Having worked in the energy sector, he understands the balance needed between more oil production and developing alternative sources of energy. He worked in the Reagan administration collecting foreign debt owed to the US so he understands Washington, however, since then has worked in the private sectors starting several small businesses in several different industries. And let us not forget, he is a member of the NRA, and for someone who just bought a nice new Ruger 10/22(that would be a .22 rifle or as Obama would describe it, a deadly assault gun), that puts my mind at ease.

The only complaint I really have at this point would be the cheesy brochure of him in a sports jacket and slacks sitting on the tail of his old pick-up truck. It just seems a little too "Scott Brown" for me.

I'd suggest anyone wondering about the candidates check him out. He's seems pretty good. Tons better than Bob Bennett, that for sure.

VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Just keep walking Bob.

You know how I feel about incumbents. I might vote one back once or twice, but if they haven't gotten it done in 18 years, I'm going to question sending them back.

Bob, it's time for you to go.

18 years ago, you promised to only run for two terms. 18 years ago you promised to reform entitlement programs. 18 years ago I wasn't old enough to vote. If you can't get it done in 18 years, why should I send you back for more?

Thursday night, Bob Bennett's office invited me to sit at his table at the Lincoln Dinner. I politely declined as I was not planning to attend the dinner, however, I did attend the meet and greet before the dinner. (I should preface the rest of the story by telling you that all State Delegates attending the dinner were given blue name tags so the candidates new who they should focus on. I did not have a name tag.) Myself and Shawn, the other delegate from my precinct, were having a conversation when Bob Bennett came up to us saying, "I've been told I'm only suppose to to talk with blue name tags." I tried to introduce myself but he continued past me to speak with Shawn, blue name tag. He talked with Shawn for a minute and then asked him if he had any question. Shawn deferred to me at which point I re-introduced myself as a State Delegate and asked my first question.

To save you from the boring details, I will tell you that he answered my questions by asking me very condescending and loaded question, to make his point. He wants to cut back on social security and medicare but when I asked if he would be willing to eliminate the pensions that elected officials get, he looked down and pointed at me and in a very condescending tone asked, "What pension do you think I get? The same pension they get up at Hill (AFB)." I told him, "there is no reason for us to be supporting elected officials after they finish there term."

QUIZ TIME: How many current Senators and Congressman are $$$millionaires$$$? (Athletes that play for the Senators don't count.)

I asked other questions, but they were all answered with the same tone and finger. He did explain that we should reelect him so he can fix the entitlement system. I'm all for that. He told a story about after he was first elected that he stated to all the other republican Senators that he wanted to reform the entitlement programs. I then asked him why after 18 years of failing does he think he can now come home with a win. Can anybody guess the answer? Doesn't matter, it wasn't good enough to write.

There are worst things about Washington than Bob Bennett, but in the words of our glorious President, It's time for a change. Bob has had his chance. He is a moderate in conservative clothing. He voted for TARP. His sponsored health care bill was as bad as the debacle we now have. He has just lost touch with voters in Utah. It is time.
VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT

Getting Back Into It

Since we are coming up on a new election and since I was elected a State Delegate in my precinct, I thought I would start posting my impression of the up coming races. Friday night was the Tooele County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner fundraiser. I was not planning on going, even though Bob Bennett's office invited me personally to sit at his table, but there was a meet the candidates function before that I wanted to attend. So I party crashed.
To keep this from going to long I will give my impressions of the Senate and other races in later posts, and leave this post for more general impressions of the evening.
VOTE OUT BOB BENNETT
A warning to Bob Bennett, this is not going to be an easy race for the nomination. Not to many people there speaking highly of you, and if you treat others the way you treated me before you found out who I was, the race will only get tougher.

I knew nothing about Governor Gary Herbert a few months ago. I was a little uneasy about him when he took over the state. Didn't Impress me much as the Lt Gov. He has impressed me as Governor. When the session started he drew a line in the sand and said he would veto any new taxes that came across his debt, and they tried. I am impressed with him and meeting him was a pleasure. He did have to compromise on the tobacco tax, for the budget. I don't like it, but I understand it. It was definitely the best option for solving the budget problem.
This post may seem a little too positive for me, but don't worry my next post on Bob Bennett will be far from positive.