My Promise(s) to You

Here is what I will promise to you, Maryland, right now.

I will not dishonor our Constitution.
I will not break the Law.
I will not seek to alter the Bill of Rights.
I will not be a party to fraud, waste and abuse.
I will not rush to judgement.

I will sign, and hold to, a pledge to not add new taxes.
I will work to maintain and improve transparency.
I will strive to reduce the practice of earmarking.
I will not sign vote on a Bill that is so large it cannot be read and understood within a reasonable timeframe. And I see that timeframe as no more than two days.
I will work to improve the efficiency of fiscal management and reduce waste.

If you can think of more, don’t be afraid to let me know.

The Upcoming Financial Picture

Well, it seems the Heritage Foundation has come out with their analysis based on H.R. 3200 and the Affordable Health Choices Act. Both contain a mandate that one has to play or pay a fine (if they don’t play into it). About that, this appears to be the first time in our history that individuals who do NOTHING will be taxed (fined, call it what you will) for not selecting health insurance for themselves.

Not to mention the fact that there is another tidbit buried in H.R. 3200 which gives the UAW another $10B – which amounts to a third bailout in less than a year.

And what chance does Congress have to take on and consider passing H.R. 2550, a Republican effort towards reform that calls for increased competition beyond state borders – including tort reform? (Needless to say, Howard Dean is quoted as saying that the reason tort reform isn’t in these 1,000+ pages of the health care reform such as H.R. 3200 is because Congress doesn’t want to make enemies of trial lawyers.)

So what to do between now and next September and November in 2010? Wait for their votes and then we vote? I wonder what the results will be?

On A (Very) Personal Note

I have been debating myself to share this info and have come to the conclusion that I should.

I am a malignant cancer survivor for the past 56 years. An operation that I had, in Cleveland Clinic, when I was about one year old resulted in the removal of my left eye and part of the optic nerve. So my left eye is a prosthetic.

Among other reasons that I have stated why I have an interest in running for this high office is this one, primarily. Health Care. Ever since I started reading the H.R. 3200 bill, I am unnerved at some of the legalese that isn’t crystal clear to the average lay person. Whether you believe there are problems (controversial that we hear and read about) or not with this pending attempt at comprehensive reform, know this:

Rationing is logically likely in order to attempt to control costs. How can it not happen? Eventually it must, given what we know and read so far.

But I fear for the future generations. There may be some newborns that become like me early in their formative years. Suffering a problem that may be visible for awhile – before it can kill you. (That’s how my parents knew. My cornea changed color. Had it not, I wouldn’t be here telling you all this.)

Will they get the appropriate care? No matter their sex, race, other obvious medical problems???? Or – will someone make a decision that no one likes?

Here’s the bottom line.

I know that I have made a difference in this world, at my job for the past 25 years, as a member of the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows). And it isn’t that I knew I was going to make such significant differences at the time. To help people, to save my department money and to make tough decisions. I was at the right place, at the right time, with the right knowledge and the foresight to make it happen.

Other, future people will do this also. Don’t think it can’t or won’t happen.

I am living proof that it happens. That holds true for everyone.

We need to ensure that future generations have the chance to become something important. Someone effective.

I cannot say that the current firestorm over this health care issue will provide that guarantee.

So think about that.

I am not seeking any pity, I am not preaching, I think, but I believe you need to know.

Have a good day. I will.

Bel Air BBQ

It was a pleasure meeting a lot of fine folks at the BBQ contest in Bel Air this Saturday, Aug 15th. My Sister-in-Law and her husband were surprised to find out I was there and working … well, wonders never cease.

I hope everyone had a fine time, enough food and drink (and didn’t get sunburned in the attempt).

I know I did.

Hello and Welcome.

Well, let me explain a little why I am here and what I hope that we can achieve.

Quite frankly, I have taken this rather extraordinary step (for me) because I have come to the realization that it is no longer enough to sit on the sidelines and gripe & moan about the current state of affairs.  I get the impression that all my prior attempts over the years  at communicating with my representatives, letters to the editor, attending rallies, support groups, and recently tea parties – just don’t seem to be getting quite the traction they should be.

Do you feel the same way?

My frustration has driven me to join in the process of running for office. Perhaps this is a good thing.

For those that wish to read a summary of my life here in Maryland, you will find it in the About page.

This will tell you I am not your typical politician-wannabe.  I am not a lawyer, maybe this is what we need less of on The Hill.  I am technically oriented and understand how to budget projects, which could be a significant benefit.

I believe myself to be a conservative. Republican, but you probably figured that out by now. But even at that, I feel that being fiscally responsible and prudent is necessary at all levels. Certainly at home, even at work and doggone better be in government activities/jobs/services.

For most issues those of us concern ourselves with, I consider myself to be Pro-Life, Pro-Constitution, Pro-Bill of Rights (all 10, of course).  I strongly believe in the Rule of Law but not Zero Tolerance. I believe in family and the responsibilities we have concerning our continued welfare for us all. These are affected by the choices that we make. Hopefully, we make the right choices.  I insist we keep the ability to exercise our choices. That, and our individual freedoms along with that, are central to what has made our country the most desired place to want to live and grow.

And lastly (for now at least), thinking of truly recent events, I am deeply concerned that most (how many?) of our elected officials in Congress are currently voting, or about to, on bills that – they haven’t read, couldn’t read because of their sheer size and complexity, and Parliamentary procedures are seemingly being ignored. The unintended consequences can and would hurt us all because the haste to enact sweeping changes without being fully understood by anyone … it is just too mindboggling to conceive let alone think it could possibly be a good thing. I can’t see myself doing such a thing. So I can’t fathom how on earth our elected officials are in fact doing so.

This isn’t right.  This isn’t fair – to us or to any one.  Slow and steady wins the race – isn’t that something we have heard before?  Isn’t that a good thing?

We need balance in our Capitol that I do not find right now.

I hope to assist in providing some of that balance and fiscal prudence.

That outcome depends on us.  Not just one person.  Us.