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"Before anything else, folks in Washington ought to be asking first and foremost, 'Should government be doing this? And if so, then at what level of government?' But they don't."
Over three hundred years ago, a group of settlers fleeing religious persecution decided to set a new course for human history in a new frontier. Those early pioneers chose a rocky shoreline to establish their way of life. Centuries later, America continues to set the example of what can come from a free and hardworking people. We truly remain the shining city upon a hill that the colonial leader John Winthrop implored us to be.
What started as a small colony in the territory that would eventually become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has progressed into the greatest and most prosperous nation in history. Americans remain the freest people on earth because of our cherished Constitution and the system of government it establishes.
We have so much to be thankful for. We should recognize especially the sacrifices made on our behalf by those in uniform. Thousands of Americans will be spending Thanksgiving overseas in combat zones in order to protect our liberty and way of life. We should give thanks to those who willingly put their lives on the line for the rest of us. Where would we be without them?
We are also thankful for what God has granted us. We are truly blessed in America with rich natural resources, plentiful energy sources, fertile land, beautiful cities, and the talented and industrious people we call “our fellow Americans.” We pray that God will continue to bless us.
In his farewell address to the nation, President Reagan reminded us that “all great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Thanksgiving is an opportunity to discuss where we are as a nation at this moment in our history and where we should be heading in order to remain prosperous and free. Take time to discuss these things with each other, and take time to teach the young people in your family about our nation’s history so that they may never forget all that we have to be proud of and thankful for.
Come on out and meet other Conservative minded people!
Here’s your chance to once again show Steve Kagen and the rest of the liberals in Washington and Madison that you’ve had enough of the direction they are trying to take this country and state. Let them know you’re NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
Wow has the year 2009 flown by. It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving already. On this day of celebration I’m thankful for family, friends, a roof over my head, a job (independent contracting), freedom, and the countless blessings received from God on a daily basis.
As I was surfingYouTube this morning I came across this great compilation of pictures and music:
Very interesting development since his departure from CNN.
Former CNN host Lou Dobbs is seriously considering running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 2012 as a stepping stone to a possible White House bid – a congressional matchup that would pit one of illegal immigration’s biggest critics against a champion for immigrant rights.
Dobbs spokesman Robert Dilenschneider told The Associated Press Wednesday that Dobbs may challenge Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat, but is considering other offers he’s received since his abrupt exit from Time Warner Inc.-owned CNN on Nov. 11 after 29 years on the news network.
“A logical step for Lou, should he choose to go into public life, is to run for the next Senate seat in New Jersey, or to accept some kind of appointed position, nationally or in New Jersey,” Dilenschneider said.
A Dobbs candidacy in 2012 would set up a pitched battle over immigration against Menendez, the Senate’s only Hispanic member.
Dobbs, who owns a farm in rural northwestern New Jersey, flirted briefly this year with a run for governor. He later ripped Republican nominee Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, over immigration enforcement and gave the independent candidate air time on CNN.
His attacks on Christie could complicate his entry into Republican politics, since Christie won.
Dobbs was once a Republican but is now an independent. He did not return requests for comment Wednesday. Dilenschneider said that Dobbs was in Florida and that no decision on his future was expected for at least two weeks.
On Monday, Dobbs said on former Sen. Fred Thompson’s radio program that he had been urged to run for president and would talk to some people about it. On Wednesday, Dilenschneider backed off that idea, telling The New York Times a presidential run was a “long way off.”
The spokesman said there would have to be an “intermediary step,” such as the seat held by Menendez.
Menendez downplayed any concern about the possible challenge.
“I’m concentrated on jobs, not Dobbs,” Menendez said after visiting a food bank in Hillside on Wednesday.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh also downplayed a potential Dobbs candidacy, saying, “2012 is not on our radar screen right now. There are 36 Senate seats up in 2010, and that is where the NRSC’s sole focus is right now.”
Dobbs, 64, was a CNN original who was one of the TV business’ leading financial journalists before taking on other topics post-9/11, and increasingly offering his own opinion. He caused controversy when he pressed President Barack Obama to prove he was born in the United States even after his own network’s reporting debunked the question. (Source: Ex-CNN host Lou Dobbs weighs Senate run in NJ – WBAY)
If I lived in NJ I think I’d vote for him if he ran.
It’s no secret that Washington DC is corrupt and dysfunctional. 8th Congressional candidate Marc Savard had a recent posting on this very issue. He also shares some of what he will be doing over the coming months to distinquish himself in a crowded field, while working to become the candidate residents of the 8th district can trust to represent them Washington.
Voters will have to work diligently to sort through who will earn and deserve their support over the coming months.
In my travels on the campaign trail over the last year talking and listening to residents of the District, one of several common questions arise, and that is how can we possibly change such a dysfunctional and corrupt system in Washington?My answer is that you change it one person at a time.
You don’t support candidates who just tell you what you want to hear, and who make promises that you know they can’t and won’t keep. You look for a candidate who is living the life that you live with all of the struggles and cares that the vast majority of us deal with every day.You also watch how the candidates conduct their campaigns. What kind of folks do they have on their staff? Who are their volunteers? And most importantly of all, how do they raise and spend the funds needed to operate their campaign. Because how they do all of these things will be a good indicator of the values and judgments they will take to Washington on your behalf. You deserve a candidate who will not only work for you and our country’s well-being, but will also honorably represent you with his behavior when you are not able to follow his every move.
A key indicator of that, from Marc Savard’s perspective is how they raise campaign money.
I believe that how a candidate raises and spends money is one of the key indicators of how he will operate in Washington. Where is he getting his money from. Who is he beholden to for tens of thousands of dollars of contributions. You know as well as I that when Political Action Committees (PACs), or what is generally described as special interest lobbying, gives tons of money to a candidate ,they expect something in return. It is fundamental to our human nature that when someone does you a favor or gives you something, you are predisposed to return the favor or give them something in return. You know in your gut for that to be true.
So if “special interest” money is a key to the corruptness of the political system, one way to change that is to not accept such donations.
The only way to break that corrupt Washington cycle between politicians and lobbyists is for a candidate for Congress to not seek out, and not accept, such donations, so that he can go to Washington clean and clear of the attachments such contributions create.
That is something 8th Congressional District candidate Marc Savard is apparently prepared to do.
I will be making just such an announcement in a detailed and formal way before the end of the year. I will also give you the information and tools readily available to you so, as Ronald Reagan aptly put it when dealing with the Soviet Union, you can “trust but verify” my pledge.
So watch my team run in the coming months and see that I will be the candidate who will earn your trust to be your Representative in Washington DC. (Source: Saturday morning on the farm – Savard for Congress)
I know this is late but congrats to the West DePere Phantoms on a fine footballseason. The D3 championship game didn’t end with a victory, but the Phantoms were one of fourteen teams to make it to Madison for their final game of the 2009 season. Final record of 12-2 and going further than any team in school history is something to build on.
Image via Wisconsin High School Helmets (www.mghelmets.com)
West De Pere will have to replace several players that helped make this run to state possible, but there is no reason why it can’t start to make Madison a realistic destination now and into the future.
Phantoms coach Bill Turnquist said afterward he will return for a 36th season next year. He would miss his players too much, and besides, why leave now with the program enjoying its most successful season ever?
“I hope we can continue (our) success that way,” Turnquist said. “If you look at our schedule in the tournament, we still have those teams. You need some breaks along the way.”
These moments, even while coming in a loss, should be viewed as positive building blocks at West De Pere.
The Phantoms now know what it takes to be a winning program.
A program can’t start to win until they learn how. West De Pere has learned how at this point.
“(Defensive coordinator) Jack Batten and I were just talking outside my office about that,” West De Pere principal Russ Gerke said a few days before the title game. “Just talking about how winning does breed more winning.
“It’s easier when you make that first step, it’s easier now to say to kids, ‘Hey, we are working out today from 3 to 4.’ That becomes more important. That open gym from 6 to whatever becomes more important. Kids know that there is some more ownership that needs to be taken.”
A great experience for the Phantoms to make it to state.
No team ever is happy ending its season with a loss. But when Turnquist hoisted up the second-place silver ball on Friday, there was nothing but a smile on his face. There were several more from some of his players. (Source: Despite loss, Phantoms can build on successful season – GBPG)
And perhaps next year the Phantoms can do what Reedsburg did this year after losing in the championship game the year before – return to win it all.
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