Racism

All this talk of Ron Paul and racism has caused me to reflect.

Racism exists.  Today.  Right here in America.  I can say that with confidence because I am a white mother of a black son.  If you don’t know my family dynamics, reread that sentence.  Let it soak in.  It will make sense after you read it a couple times.  And just in case you’re confused about racism, it goes both ways.  I’m not blaming whites or blacks or Muslims or Christians.  It’s everywhere and we’re all capable of it.  My personal experiences… While shopping at a Walmart Pharmacy, I was denied the medicine I needed for my son by a black pharmacy tech.  A social worker later explained that many black women in our local area are offended by white women marrying black men.  White woman, black son must equal black husband.  We had some white friends that said that our (white) daughter was welcome to come over, but our (black) son was not.  Then there was the person who was encouraging my white child to be a doctor or an inventor and told my black child he could be a rapper.  That person was sincere.  I’ve been asked if his penis is bigger.  Yep, you read that right.   Do moms compare penis sizes at playgroup or something?  I must’ve missed that one.  And for some reason, people seem to think it’s more ok to tell me racist jokes.

Why did I tell the inhabitants of the internet all this?  Because I don’t want some silly, “You’re white, you don’t understand” response.  Do I understand every aspect of racism?  No.  Who really does?  I do know that my son is more likely to be pulled over by the police, more likely to be evaluated for special education, etc.  While most people aren’t openly racist, there are stereotypes that guide everyday life.

So, what about these racist Ron Paul newsletters?  I can’t tell you if he wrote them or not.  But I’ll give my two cents on it.  Adjust it for inflation, and it probably won’t amount to much.  However, it’s my blog, so I can say what I want.

1. The ghostwriter explanation makes sense.  If you’ve had any affiliation with a candidate, campaign, or organization, you’ll know that they use them all the time.  Most mail pieces, emails, etc. are written by staff or consultants.  They’re also edited by staff.  They are written in first person as though the candidate or leader of the organization wrote it.  And that person rarely sees what was written in his or her name.  I’ve even ghostwritten a few email pieces.
2. Ron Paul doesn’t name his ghostwriter.  Often more than one person works on one piece.  And most organizations probably don’t keep record of who wrote which piece.  In fact, it’s fairly common for a candidate to not know the writers.  Why hire a staff if you still try to run everything on your own?
3. The bulk of Ron Paul’s speeches are clearly not racist.  He protests the War on Drugs which disproportionately incarcerates black males.  His stance on civil rights is far beyond that of modern Republicans.
4. Maybe he is racist at some level.  Granted I probably won’t get the Ron Paul Supporter of the Year Award for that statement.   I do have to question the relevance of a handful of statements made decades ago that MAY have come from him.  Here’s the thing.  Most Americans are racist.  My personal experiences in racism are irritating, and sometimes downright painful, but I must take them in stride.  If I disqualified people from my life because of the stupid things they say and do regarding race, I’d be isolated.  Do I tell my daughter that she can’t be friends with certain people because their families are racist?  Do I not shop somewhere because one employee refused service?  Do I ostracize family, friends, and church members because they made a statement that seemed harmless to them?

In the end, I still wonder about the newsletters.   Is it a negative in my book?  Yes.  However, when I compare the pros and cons of the Republican candidates, one still stands out above the rest.  Ron Paul is still more consistent than those other guys and gal.  And thankfully Ron Paul refrains from the typical (and evidently acceptable) Republican hate speech against Muslims, Islamists, Iranians, etc.  If you want to call Ron Paul a racist, that’s fine.  But let’s call all of them out for it.  The rest of the candidates want to bomb all over the Middle East because of a stereotypical fear of Middle Easterners.  And they want to “help” Israel do the same even when Israel’s Prime Minister doesn’t want the help.

I doubt any of us have found a candidate with whom we agree with 100%.  As the light shines on each of them, we’ll find a little more dirt than we’d like to see.  In the end, hopefully, each of us will support the man or woman who is the most consistent on the issues, has the greatest character, and will lead our nation as defined within the Constitution.  For me, that person is still Ron Paul.

I detest the title of this, but it’s a good video.  Take a look.

No Spot for Kay Bailey Hutchison

There’s a sentence I hear sometimes that makes my head spin and smoke rise from ears.  “A vote for Medina is a vote for Hutchison.”   The people chanting this mantra must know something about our electronic voting machines.  They should go public with this scandalous information.  A switch-a-roo like that should be exposed and people should go to jail.   Seriously.

The reality is that Kay Bailey Hutchison is a sinking ship and Medina is a rising star.  The only thing a vote for Medina will do is sink Hutchison even more, and bring Texas back to where it should be – leading our nation by example.

Texans don’t trust Hutchison.  She hasn’t left the Senate as promised.  The continual postponements make voters wonder if she’ll really keep her word.  Steve Odgen promised he wouldn’t run again, yet he is.  Politicians lie all the time, and Texans expect Hutchison will lie too.  Texas Republicans are a devout bunch.  Abortion is at the forefront for many voters, yet Kay isn’t always on the side of life.  Or states’ rights for that matter.  Instead of being forthright about her views, she gives muddy answers like Bill Clinton responding to the Monica Lewinsky sex allegations.  These encounters only increase her negative  image as an entrenched politician.  And then there’s her record.  Bailout votes, ignoring constituents, 94% on the side of life (to quote her from the Belo Debate).  People aren’t all that impressed.  We’re left wondering why she’s leaving her cushy Senate job.  Is there something we don’t know yet?

Of course, Perry is no better.  He can’t decide if stimulus money is good or bad.  One day he’s against federal dollars.  The next day he’s digging into the federal money pile along side General Motors and California.   Rick Perry claims the Trans Texas Corridor is dead; however, it’s alive under other names.  TxDOT still has the authority to build roads at taxpayer’s expense and then sell them to private companies who will charge you tolls to use the roads you paid for.  That’s called a double tax.  Slick, eh?  The state’s debt has tripled under Perry’s reign, but he likes to tell everyone Texas is doing well.  Those of us in the real world know that when our credit card debt triples, we’re in big trouble.  We usually consider selling the house, not adding on to it.

Debra Medina is angelic next to Rick and Kay.  Debra Medina works for a living.  How long has it been since Hutchison or Perry has held a real job…besides trying to run your life?  Medina recognizes that family comes first and the government needs to get out of the way.  She educated her children herself, so she knows what Texas needs to educate it’s children.  Medina knows that the criminals won’t register their guns or follow unconstitutional gun restrictions.  An armed citizenry is a safe citizenry.  And let’s be honest.  Our founding fathers knew the worst thugs would be in government.  When government seeks to disarm it’s citizens, even under the guise of safety, BEWARE!  Medina understands this, and will fight to ensure that your right to bear arms shall not be infridged.  Medina’s border plan is what the grassroots has begged for.  Texas Guard Troops at the border, eliminate social services for illegal immigrants, and withdraw from unconstitutional treaties that harm the Texas economy.  Trade isn’t “free” if there are strings attached.

Based on recent polls of Republican Primary Voters, Medina is statistically tied with Hutchison.  These polling companies interview people who have voted in recent Republican Primaries.  These are the committed Republicans.  You know, the people who actually know what a Primary is and how it differs from a General Election or a Run-Off.  Unfortunately these polls do not capture even a small snapshot of the current political landscape, the revolution that is brewing.  We only need to look to Scott Brown winning the Massachusetts Senate seat or the NY23 fiasco to realize that there is a powerful force moving through our nation.  That force is the angry voter.  They are Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, and occasionally Democrats.  They haven’t voted in primaries in years, if ever, so they aren’t appearing on the political radar until it is too late.  These angry voters are tired of entrenched politicians and their ilk.  And when it comes to the Texas Gubernatorial Race, there is only one candidate who is not an entrenched, establishment politician owned by corporate lobbies and special interests.  From Indepent Texans to 9/12 groups to Tea Parties, these cabals of angry voters are flocking to Debra Medina.  And no one is polling them.

I will not be surprised if Medina wins outright on March 2.  If these new Primary voters show up in force as they are expected to, the Republican establish will be shaken.  At a bare minimum, I expect we’ll see Debra Medina in the runoff and not Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Vaccines and Rick Perry

Until a few months ago, I was completely on board with vaccines.  Both my children received routine vaccines.  Even our two dogs and two cats got their regular shots too.  Personally, I’m not so good about my own.  Needles make me ill.  I’m fairly healthy.  Why go through it?  I never questioned vaccine safety or necessity.  I must admit, I thought parents who didn’t vaccinate their children were a bit odd, over-concerned, and occasionally paranoid.  However, I have always believed it is the parents’ right to decline vaccines or any other medical treatment.  Sometimes, it was a matter of religion.  For others, vaccines are unnatural.  They prefer a natural, organic, hippie sort of lifestyle.  Of course, some people thought the government was out to control, sterilize, or kill them.  Then there is medical corporate lobby that pushes vaccines on politicians, and an unreliable FDA that approves them with little testing or documentation.   Whatever their reasons, parents have the right to refuse vaccines for their children.

Governor Rick Perry doesn’t agree.  A few years back, he signed an Executive Order mandating that little girls receive the Gardasil shot, a vaccine that protects against an STD.  A what?!?!  Yes, an STD.  And yes, he mandated it!  In Texas, parents can refuse to vaccinate their children.  Despite the wealth of misinformation, children can attend public school without vaccinations.  At the time I was a strong proponent of vaccines, but requiring one without any option to refuse rings of Nazi Germany and concentration camps.  If you think that’s a hyperbole, think about the scenario for a while.  You have an 11 year old daughter.  She’s a bit boy crazy, but really doesn’t have much of a clue about sex.  You take her to the pediatrician for her yearly well visit.  You expect her to measured and weighed, and to have conversations about deodorant and healthy eating.  Instead your doctor says she’s required to get a shot that will protect her against an STD.  “Thank you, but I think we’ll wait on that,” you say as you snarl at the doctor for bringing up STDs.  You’ve raised your daughter to be modest and respectful of her body.  You have an open relationship with her.  You are on the path to abstinence and would prefer to deal with the issues of sex in a different environment.  Maybe you’re a bit naïve and a little nervous, but this isn’t at all how you pictured it.  The doctor responds that you actually don’t have a choice.  The government requires it.  She will get the shot.  Sorry that you disagree, but it’s mandatory.  It will be ok.  It’s for her own good.  Think of all the disease and heartache we can prevent.  Work will make you free.  Oh sorry, wrong propaganda phrase. 

If it were me in this scenario, I probably grab my daughter and run.  Unfortunately, parents didn’t.  The death rate for this vaccine is abnormally high.  I’ve seen claims of sterilization, repeated miscarriages later on, and other disastrous effects.  So it turned out to be a bad vaccine.  That’s not what concerns me as much as that it was required, forced.  No choice allowed.  Fans of Rick Perry say he saw the error of his ways.  I disagree.  He didn’t reverse his order when parents and legislators cried out.  The Texas legislator passed legislation overriding that Executive Order.  As a final act of his defiance of parental rights, Perry would not sign it.  It went into law without his signature.  Parents today again have choice and rights.  But not with the help or support of Governor Perry. 

Why did Rick Perry assault parental rights?  I have no idea.  Perhaps he thought parents were incapable of dealing with sex education and STDs.  Maybe he really thought he’d rid the world of cervical cancer and later be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Conceivably he had a buddy pedaling a vaccine that no one else would buy.  Maybe he’s a control freak.  I can’t answer the why.  All I can say is that it was wrong.  I hope parents remember Perry for what he is when it comes to parental rights.  Your children are the most precious people in the world.  None of us are perfect parents and we will make mistakes.  Those are our mistakes to make and the responsibility rests fully on us as parents.  We don’t need a governor making more mistakes for us. 

As a side note, recent personal research has led us to no longer vaccinate our children.  We’ve found the risks often outweigh the benefits.  There is a wealth of propaganda in favor of vaccinating, but one must really dig to find opposing facts.  I urge you to read and research.  Come to an informed decision, whatever it is.  I wish I would have researched sooner.

Stepping Back

Sometimes the most unexpected things force us to step back.  Nothing conquers Eric Finley, except perhaps the smile of his precious little girl.  He is a man of determination and committment.  However, Eric suffered injuries while serving his country.  These injuries require him to step back and heal.  Taking the time to heal in order to fight another day is never easy, but it is necessary.  I applaud Eric Finley for the sacrifices he has made for his country and look forward to seeing him uphold his oath to the US Constitution in Congress in the future.  Peace, rest, and healing my friend.  May God bless you on this journey.

Press Release: 4 January 2010:

“We The People” … we all know these words, yet the Washington politicians seem to have forgotten what they mean. With the Nation’s attention focused on surviving a deep recession and supporting our servicemen and women overseas, the politicians and special interest groups have rapidly chipped away at our Constitution and Bill of Rights through secret deals, closed door negotiations and hurried late night votes on bills most haven’t even read. We’ve all cried foul, yet the politicians and special interest groups continue while thumbing their noses at the American people.

As Teddy Roosevelt said in 1894, “ We Americans have many grave problems to solve, many threatening evils to fight, and many deeds to do, if, as we hope and believe, we have the wisdom, the strength, and the courage and the virtue to do them.”  Those words ring true today just as they did over one hundred years ago.

2010 is a year for reform… and that reform will start by cleaning house, literally. As I’ve said before, any man or woman who’s spent 20 years in Washington D.C. can hardly say they’re in touch with their own district. It’s time for the career politicians to either step down or be voted out in November 2010.  It’s time that “We The People” take action.  

Most know I recently returned from Pakistan due to injury.  Most do not know I was also injured in 2008 while serving in Northern Iraq.  Unfortunately, my injury in Iraq caused lasting damage to my neck and spine, as well as to my nervous system.  While treatable, several symptoms have worsened over the recent weeks to the point of concern.  At the advice of my doctors, I regretfully withdraw my candidacy from the 2010 Republican Primary so that I may continue to recover.

While I will not be able to continue the race as a candidate, I am certainly not stepping out of the political arena. We, as Americans, demand transparency in our government and honesty from our elected leaders and I will continue to uphold the oath I took “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

The outpouring of support I received as a candidate has been truly humbling and I thank you all for your hard work, advice, and contributions.  I, along with each of you, will continue to be actively involved in reclaiming our district and Nation.  I look forward to seeing each of you in the coming months.  May God continue to bless you, your family, and our great Nation.

Sincerely,

Eric Finley

The Party of No? It should be the Party of No Freakin Way!

The political games the Republican Party plays make me queasy.  The ship sways to the right, “We are conservative!” they shout.  The ship sways to the left as the candidates and elected officials vote.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  All the while, the grassroots are vomiting over the side. 

Didn’t we dump tea in the water and dress up in costumes very recently?  Did we not carry signs, sign petitions, and call your offices incessantly?  Have you forgotten us already?  Perhaps we should vomit on your shoes instead of politely overboard.  You might notice us then. 

So what has me sick today that I am publishing this rant?  William Flores.  He plopped down his filing fee to run for Congressman in my District, CD17… As a Republican.  Big deal.  Add him to the list, right?  Just another Republican.  Sure, except that he voted in the Democratic Primary in 2008 (according to claims made by Timothy Delasandro).  Not 20 years ago when he was young and naive.  No, last year.  The 2008 primary, when we still had several choices.  Months before we were saddled with John McCain. 

So here’s where I get really nauseated.  Most Republican groups won’t get involved in the primaries (besides secretly excluding candidates that are actually conservative or, God-forbid, libertarian-leaning).  They won’t say a word when someone who voted for Barak or Hilary claims to be your Republican savior.  Oh, but wait, The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) picked Flores.  So they don’t mind inserting themselves into our primary, even though they aren’t from CD17.  Where are our County Chairs?  They have access to Voter Vault.  Why don’t they speak up?  I hope this is on the agenda of the next meeting of each Republican group across CD17.  I know I’ll be bringing it up at Brazos County Young Republicans next meeting.  I hope our County Chairs speak up.  Republican Women.  College Republicans.  Republican Club.  SREC.   Pachyderms.  Raging Elephants.  Republican Liberty Caucus.  Young Republicans.  We need to discuss this, at  a bare minimum.  Political Parties are known for ignoring the obvious until they are forced to deal with it.  Let’s deal with this now.  It’s time that it means something to be a Republican. 

I realize the idea is to let all the Republican candidates duke it out in attack ads and debates.  For the most part, that makes perfect sense.  The Primary is when Republicans have choices, hopefully.  The leadership shouldn’t try to force its will on the people.  However, when it comes to obvious things like voting in the Democratic Primary in the last election, it’s time for our leadership to stand up.  People have different ideas of what it means to be a Republican.  I think most of us can agree that voting in the last Democratic Primary doesn’t fall into the Republican category.  If Flores wants to run against Chet, he should do so in the Democratic Primary, where he voted most recently. 

The idea of the Big Tent doesn’t mean that our candidates do not adhere to some sort of political philosophy.  It means that we welcome anyone who subscribes to the idea of limited government.  Perhaps Flores is seeing the light, and moving towards limited government principles; however, 2008 was a little too recent for this gal.

Hopefully I’m wrong about Mr. Flores.  I really hope I am.

Common Sense for Uncommon Times

Main.

_If there’s ever been a time for common sense, it’s now. Yet it seems like those in Washington have thrown out rational thinking in exchange for liberal ideology and reckless spending. In spite of public criticism and calls for fiscal responsibility, our elected officials continue ignoring us. It’s impossible to effectively represent our district when you’re unwilling to listen to your constituents. We deserve better. We demand a Representative who will represent our districts’ conservative values.

  The most valuable contribution you can make in this election is not money… It’s your vote.  Second is your voice… and I intend to earn the first by listening to the second.  Your voice matters and I want to hear from you. YourVoice@EricFinleyforCongress.com is set up specifically for your input, ideas and thoughts regarding the current  issues facing our nation.  I’m looking forward to receiving your questions and will answer each promptly.

  So that we all know where our district stands on the key issues, I’m conducting weekly text message polls.   It takes less than 1 minute to sign up and requires no personal information.  Simply text “GovImp Finley” to 368266 and follow the instructions. Your phone number will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for our weekly poll.  I’m encouraging everyone to sign up… Republican, Democrat, Independent, no matter who you’re supporting. The larger the participation, the better we’ll all be able to represent District 17.

 

To find out where I’ll be speaking next, check the calendar or send an email to Info@EricFinleyforCongress.com

Eric Finley for CD17

http://www.ericfinleyforcongress.com/

I have known Eric Finley fo most of my life.  He is an honest, trustworthy, and sensible man.

Please explore him on the issues.  You’ll discover he’s the best primary candidate!

http://www.ericfinleyforcongress.com/