A Letter to my Elected Officials

The following is a copy of a letter I mailed to my elected United States officials for my area of Texas; of course my letter was duly addressed to the specific person it was intended to go to:

Honorable Senator/U.S. Representative;

Please do not support the government buyout of the failing financial institutions across our nation!

Sir, if the government will not help a small business who is failing due to mismanagement or lack of proper income, how can you justify helping companies, who pay their executives in the millions of dollars, when they are failing? It seems to me this a great example of the rich helping the rich!

Sir, if the government of the United States itself cannot balance and live within a budget and creates a national debt of over 9 trillion dollars, how do you expect to, or even have the right to, buy out these financial institutions and expect them to function any better under government ownership?

Sir, if I were an ordinary investor I would never put my money into an agency or business who could not manage their money correctly; yet, I am forced to give my tax dollars to a government that is wasting my investment into the very nation I trust to protect my freedoms and liberties. This is not right!

Sir, if you vote for the buyout of these companies, then you are indicating to me that you continue to support the bad management practices that our government continues to follow. If this is the way you plan to spend my tax dollars, by rescuing the wealthy and letting the middle class or low income citizens suffer, then you will lose my vote in the upcoming election.

Sir, I am not a Democrat or a Republican, I cast my vote for the candidate that shows they have the best interest of their citizens at heart. I realize that you and the members of Congress are just as afraid of what might happen if these institutions go bankrupt, but isn't that what our free enterprise system of economics is all about. If these institutions fail, then isn't it time to let some of the smaller institutions step and lead, rather than continue to give my tax dollars to people who have proven they cannot spend it wisely.

Mark A. English

If you would like to write a similar letter to your elected officials in the U.S. Congress you can go to http://www.house.gov/ or http://www.senate.gov/ to find out the contact information for your elected officials. You can also contact the President via e-mail at comments@whitehouse.gov.

Primary Day is Upon Us in Texas

Today is the Texas Primary. Signs and people promoting the remaining candidates are everywhere.

As far as Democrats are concerned: On the return trip from Corpus Christi, I saw many people standing on overpasses waving Barack Obama signs. Young people were standing on opposite sides of street corners holding signs for Obama and Hillary Clinton. (At least the younger voters are getting involved in the election process). Obama and Clinton are also eating up the airways. TV and Radio ads are on almost every break and I am getting a little tired of both of them. I have also received phone calls from supporters of Clinton and Obama (mainly Obama) reminding me to vote in the Democratic Primary! == "What if I'm not Democrat?", I asked one of them. There response was, "Well, maybe you should consider being one this year." I laughed and hung up.

As far as Republicans are concerned: I have seen some signs for McCain here and there, but haven't heard much from him as far as TV ads or other promotions. Huckabee's supporters had a "Honk and Wave Day" a few days ago. It was a little noisy for a while but they died out quickly. I mainly see Huckabee signs on bumper stickers. Ron Paul has signs everywhere, you would think he was the front runner! It seems the Republicans are saving their advertising budget for the "Big Election" in November.

I also found out you can actually vote twice in Texas. You heard me, vote twice! Texas apparently not only has a primary, where anyone can vote in any party's primary, but they also have a caucus. So after you vote in the morning, you can attend your party's caucus that evening and vote again to help you party leaders decide who to give their delegates to. How about that? Two votes in one day! (I learned that from an Obama telephone message left on my answering machine at home.)

Watch the news to see how our fair state votes. We will do our best to leave those of you in Indiana a choice when your primary comes around in May.

Another Crazy Indian Joins the Race for Big Chief

Just when you thought the number of Indians running for Big Chief was dwindling, along comes another Indian. Today, Ralph Nader announced he is running for President as an Independent candidate. Even though I seriously doubt he will pull off a winning campaign, it was his influence in the past two elections, the Democrats blame for taking just enough votes away from them, that the Republicans won the White House. Will Nader do it again? To visit Mr. Nader's official campaign web-site click here.

To update you once again on the current candidates...

Still running for the Democrat nomination: Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama (OK, Mike Gravel supporters...technically Mr. Gravel has not officially dropped out, he has not won any delegates and has absolutely no chance at winning the nomination.)

Still running for the Republican nomination: John McCain & Mike Huckabee (OK, Ron Paul supporters...I know Rep. Paul has not officially dropped out either. I also know you guys are crazy about your candidate, but he has been mathematically eliminated from the race.)

Click on the names of the candidates to learn more about them and how they "currently" stand on some of the major issues.

Finally the Voters are Showing Their Power!

Six Little Indians still running for Prez.
The Power of Math eliminates two,
That leaves 4 wanna-be chiefs,
Who will you choose?

Democratic candidate Mike Gravel refuses to give up his bid for the Democratic nomination, despite not having won a single delegate. Mathmatically there is no possible way for him to win the nomination, so I'm cutting him from my list of little Indians.

Ron Paul on the other hand, is still carrying on his campaign for the Republican nomination. He has won delegates in several states, but alas Math is also against Rep. Paul. Even Ron Paul seems to have recognized the facts and has recently announced that he is cutting back spending on his Presidential bid to focus on his re-election campaign for the House of Representatives in Texas. Therefore; I am also cutting him from my list of little Indians.

The remaining little Indians are making this election year one of the most exciting times for nominating a President that I have ever seen.

Just in case you live in hole and do not know who the remaining 4 Indians are:
For the Democrats, there are former First Lady and current New York Senator, Hillary Clinton, and current Illinois Senator, Barack Obama. For the Republicans, there are current Arizona Senator, John McCain, and former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee.

I strongly encourage anyone who has not yet voted (Especially my fellow bloggers who live in Indiana) to read up on these guys, and gal, and make an educated vote. At least for the Democrats, your vote will still be very important. It may be a little late for the Republicans, but as I type, I hear the news behind me telling me that Virginia's Republican Primary is still to close to call between McCain and Huckabee.

I am really liking this election year. The voters for both parties are finally feeling the power of their votes for the first time in years. It would really be a shame for the "Super-Delegates" to ruin that feeling if they are the ones who decide who wins the Democratic nomination.

I hope you are enjoying my Tale of the Little Indians...and Vote, Vote, Vote!!

One Less Person to Vote For (6 Little Indians Left)

In a stunning announcement today, Former Mass. Governor, Mitt Romney is suspending his bid for the White House. Wow!! I guess he got tired of spending his own money on what seems to be a loosing battle.

This leaves 6 Little Indians looking to become Chief and move into the Big White Teepee!

There are 3 Democrats: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Mike Gravel (who has no chance in H*!!, but he's still hanging in there.)

There are 3 Republicans: John McCain, Mike Huckabee, and Ron Paul.

For biographies of the remaining candidates go to You Decide 08 and click on the pictures of the individual candidates.

It's going to be an interesting and historical election year. Who knows I may get to vote for Huckabee in Texas after all?

Feeling Like I Don't Even Count

Today is what many News and Political agencies around the nation are calling "Super Tuesday!" Almost half of states are having their primaries today to determine which candidate they wish to win their party's nomination for president of the United States. Somehow, however; it dosen't feel very "Super" for me.

According to the news, the Republican nomination should be determined after today, with Sen. John McCain becoming the Republican candidate for President. As far as the Democrats are concerned, at least they have a race that may not be determined after today.

My problem is that I tend to lean towards a Moderate platform and I am a religious conservative. (I hate that word by the way. There are some things I believe that would probably "tick off" many so-called conservatives.) That being said, I would like to cast my vote for Mike Huckabee if I voted Republican and I would have liked to have voted for John Edwards if I voted Democrat. It looks like I may not get that chance. Texas will not hold its primary until March 4. Edwards is already out; and by then my other candidate, Huckabee, may not even be in the race. Then who do I vote for? I really have no strong feelings towards any of the other candidates for President. (Well, I have a few strong feelings against a few of them.) I feel like my vote in March will be a wasted vote.

I feel like Hawaii and Alaska on General Election Day. I have Electoral votes but they don't matter because the rest of the country has already chosen the President by the time I even get a chance to vote.

Voting in the Republican Primary will be a moot or lost point, if McCain does pull of the nomination after today. I guess I could still vote in the Democratic Primary. It's possible that Clinton and Obama will still be fighting for their party's nomination. I do tend to support at least small parts of one of these guy's/gal's ideas. At least then I will have some say so on who gets nominated in at least one party.

Best of luck to you guys who get vote ahead of "poor-ole-me." I envy you!

And Then There Were 7 (2 more drop Presidential Bids)

Nine Little Indians all running for President. Two lost big in Florida, and then there were Seven.

Two more presidential hopefuls officially ended their campaigns today, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.

Former North Carolina Senator and Democratic candidate John Edwards ended his campaign, leaving former First Lady and current New York Sen., Hillary Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and long shot candidate, former Alaskan Sen. Mike Gravel, left as the remaining three Democrats.

On the Republican side, former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani dropped out and endoresed John McCain. This leaves Arizona Sen. John McCain, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and long shot candidate, Texas U.S. Representative Ron Paul as the remaining Republican hopefuls.

9 Little Indians Left

Dennis Kucinich, Democratic candidate for President, is dropping his Presidential bid today (Friday). This leaves 9 Little Indians left.

10 Little Indians (Who Still Want to be President)

It seems another Republican bites the dust in the ongoing battle to become President. Former actor and Senator, Fred Thompson, has withdrawn from the Presidential Race.

So who does leave in the race for the White House? Here are the 10 Little Indians who are left...

Democrats -- Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel.

Republicans -- Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul

Just in Case You Care, Another One Bites the Dust

Just in case you are even keeping up with the Presidential Race...

Republican Candidate: Duncan Hunter officially dropped out of the race on Jan. 18, 2008.

Which Person Should I Vote For?

Well, I can't answer that question for you, but maybe I can help you out a little more. Earlier I had posted a blog about "Who Exactly Is Running For President Anyway?". Now I am giving you a little more help. Maybe...??

I have come across two different "surveys" about the current issues that are being discussed in the Presidential Elections. You take the survey, rank their importance to you and then submit your answers. These sites will then show you how well the candidates match up to your beliefs.

The first survey is from WQAD Minnesota Public Radio: Candidate Survey.

The second is from a web-site called SelectSmart.com: Presidential Candidates 2008 Selector.

I won't share my results with you because I don't want to hear the support/criticism! I'm just trying to help folks make some kind of informed decision, when it comes to electing our new President

Also in case you just want to know a little more about the current candidates, Nickelodeon, the children's network, is doing an on-line "Kids Pick Primary" among children. They have a section that gives a brief Bio., and how the candidates stand on certain issues. It is all in convenient kid friendly form. Exactly what we all need to try to make sense of the often confusing political system.

Who Exactly is Running for President Anyway?

OK, it's time to admit I'm a bit of a government and political nerd. I do not belong to any major (or minor for that matter) political party. In fact there are things I hate and like about both the Democrats and Republicans. I just like the political process and am fascinated with elections in particular. I memorized the Presidents of the United States when I was in 8th Grade and still know all of their first, middle, last names, and party affiliation. I am pretty accurate and stating their time served as well. NERD!

After watching the results of last night's Iowa Caucasus, it surprised me how many people have no idea who is actually running for President of the United States. So let me help you out a little bit. A couple of good web-sites to go to for some information are CNN's Election Center 2008 or Fox News' You Decide 2008. Both these sites give you a brief biography of each candidate, what their ideas are in some of the major issues and how many delegates towards nomination they have.

Now I present to you a list of all the candidates for the two major parties who are still in the race. Just click on their names to go directly to their official Presidential Campaign Site. Just to let you know Sen. Joseph Biden and Sen. Chris Dodd officially dropped out of the race after poor showings last night in Iowa.

First the Democrats

Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois

Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York

Former Sen. John Edwards, North Carolina

Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Ohio

Former Sen. Mike Gravel, Alaska

And now the Republicans

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas

Former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, New York

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts

Sen. John McCain, Arizona

Former Sen. Fred Thompson, Tennessee

Rep. Ron Paul, Texas

Rep. Duncan Hunter, California

Now I'm not endorsing any candidate at this point! I'm just presenting you the information so you can make an informed choice when you state goes to the polls soon for the party primaries. I strongly urge you to look at each candidate and see what their views and positions are, not only for President but for your Federal State Senate & House seats, as well as State and local candidates. Be an informed voter and choose wisely!

Update: Jan. 10, 2008 -- Democratic Candidate, Bill Richardson, has announced he is withdrawing from his bid to become President. (click here for official announcement)