WOW! What a good convention! It opened with a youth choral group called "Stars and Stripes." They performed a 20-plus minute set that literally brought tears to my eyes. And in the end, I was elected a state delegate to the Washington State Republican Convention in Spokane, Washington later this spring. And Jan Angel voted for me three times! That's significant, to those of you who have commented that this is the "Anti-Jan Angel Blog." But let me correct you ...
I love Jan. I have always loved Jan. We have disagreed on some issues, and very strongly on the NASCAR issue. But this is America and we are free to do so. Jan is moving on to a legislative position, and I pledge her my full support. And thank her for helping me achieve my goal of attending the Washington State Republican Convention as a delegate. (Jan is pictured above, giving her five-minute campaign speech.)
I'm very proud to attend the State Convention and thrilled to be part (albeit a small part) of an instrument of change. These are troubling times for our country, and for both parties. While Obama and Clinton continue to wreak havoc in their party, I've become concerned over an apparent rift in the Republican party as well. Readers of my blog know that I always take offense when the liberals assume that because one is Republican, he or she is part of the "religious right." I have often said: I am not religious nor am I always right. Please do not roll every Republican into that stifling blanket. Yes, there is an aggressively fundamental, religious side to the Republican party but there also are Republicans like me, who do not make faith-based political decisions and who do not see every issue through denominational glasses. That has become an issue this election season, with many in the party unhappy with one candidate or the other because he 1) cheated on his wife or 2) doesn't take the "right" stand on abortion, or so on and so forth. There never will be a "perfect candidate" - all we can do is support the one who will represent the platform supported by the greater whole and who will have the best chance of retaining the White House for the Republican Party.
My biggest issues (outside the huge, obvious ones like the war, national security, etc.) are these: the rights of the private property owner, returning to a truly representative government, and motivating our youth to be the best they can be. I'm not even on the lowering taxes bandwagon (though I don't think they should be raised, for any class in society.) That said, I am all for fiscal management, and I think that if our money was better spent, the goverment would not need to raise taxes.
Someday, I'm going to run for office. But for now, I'm happy just to be selected by my peers to represent them at the State Convention. I hope to go on to the National Convention. Right now, I can't afford to go, but start clicking on the book links and buying my books and maybe I can give it a shot. I'm very dedicated to this, and I appreciate all the support I have received from friends... and I thank you.
