What a day! Abdul on WXNT called in to see the dentist, but it was Klop and Kole to the rescue!! Libertarian radio all morning in Abdul's stead, and it was fun, informative, and definitely interesting. Notable libertarians on all morning, from presidential candidate Michael Badnarik (who I finally realized is a kook), former congressional/mayoral/gubernatorial candidate Andy Horning, LaPorte County Chair Greg Kelver, as well as Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita, and others.
Mike Kole, LP Hamilton County Chair, and Brad Klopfenstein, LPIN Executive Director were on the air from 6-9 this morning talking politics, and having a blast on the mic. They took all calls, chatted with guests, even had time to poke fun at themselves. Hell even "President Clinton" called in to talk with the guys.
I think the end result of the guys getting on for three hours was a good thing, expressing good values of the party, and promoting us in the "we're just like everyone else" light.
On a non-political note...the Pacers-Pistons game was a trip!!! I couldn't believe that happened tonight!!!
20 November 2004
17 November 2004
A New Era
Hello everyone, I'm back. A self-imposed moratorium on virtually all politics for 15 days is definitely a good thing. Most of the election dust has settled, and people have made their choices. Indiana is now a one-party state, electing Mitch Daniels, and giving the House back to the GOP. For years, the Republicans have said that if we elect them, they'll make it happen, it being shrinking the size of the state government. I find this hard to believe.
An $800 million budget deficit has to be dealt with somehow. During the campaign, the evil phrase "tax increase" was rarely uttered. It was "cut this, cut that." Now that the election is over, the "cut this, cut that" mentality is switching to "all options are on the table." Now, as a idealist living in the real world *sigh*, I would rather them raise the sales tax 1% with a sunset provision on there that would end in either 2006 or 2008, that way it falls in an election year, holding the entire legislature accountable, be it Democrats or Republicans. That money collected would have to go towards paying off the state's debt, not for some pet project.
Enough about taxes. Another subject picking up steam as the General Assembly reconvenes is the issue about Daylight Savings Time (DST). I personally think that Indiana should be on Central Standard Time (CST), or Chicago time. We are geographically and culturally closer to Chicago than that of New York, Boston, or Washington, DC. I realize that there are several counties on the Ohio River and in southeastern Indiana that observe Eastern time year-round, and that would not change. This just puts the state in line with the rest of the country. My rationale on this is I have family on both coasts, and they forget that Indiana does not "change their clocks."
The issue of gay marriage will likely come to the forefront of Indiana politics again. I just don't think that marriage should be an issue in government. To me, marriage is a sacred and holy institution officiated by an ordained minister of faith. If that denomination accepts two men or two women in matrimony, so be it. A personal choice shouldn't be left to government to decide. To me, it's the same as saying that certain people should not be allowed to have children. It also reminds me of the "black codes" I've studied in American History, including the one where no free-black could marry a white person because they were "inferior." Nowadays, it's common, so what's the big deal???
Remember this, in the first debate between Gov.-elect Daniels, outgoing Gov. Kernan, and Kenn Gividen, Daniels agreed with Gividen five times. He now has four years to prove he won't maintain the status quo for the state.
An $800 million budget deficit has to be dealt with somehow. During the campaign, the evil phrase "tax increase" was rarely uttered. It was "cut this, cut that." Now that the election is over, the "cut this, cut that" mentality is switching to "all options are on the table." Now, as a idealist living in the real world *sigh*, I would rather them raise the sales tax 1% with a sunset provision on there that would end in either 2006 or 2008, that way it falls in an election year, holding the entire legislature accountable, be it Democrats or Republicans. That money collected would have to go towards paying off the state's debt, not for some pet project.
Enough about taxes. Another subject picking up steam as the General Assembly reconvenes is the issue about Daylight Savings Time (DST). I personally think that Indiana should be on Central Standard Time (CST), or Chicago time. We are geographically and culturally closer to Chicago than that of New York, Boston, or Washington, DC. I realize that there are several counties on the Ohio River and in southeastern Indiana that observe Eastern time year-round, and that would not change. This just puts the state in line with the rest of the country. My rationale on this is I have family on both coasts, and they forget that Indiana does not "change their clocks."
The issue of gay marriage will likely come to the forefront of Indiana politics again. I just don't think that marriage should be an issue in government. To me, marriage is a sacred and holy institution officiated by an ordained minister of faith. If that denomination accepts two men or two women in matrimony, so be it. A personal choice shouldn't be left to government to decide. To me, it's the same as saying that certain people should not be allowed to have children. It also reminds me of the "black codes" I've studied in American History, including the one where no free-black could marry a white person because they were "inferior." Nowadays, it's common, so what's the big deal???
Remember this, in the first debate between Gov.-elect Daniels, outgoing Gov. Kernan, and Kenn Gividen, Daniels agreed with Gividen five times. He now has four years to prove he won't maintain the status quo for the state.
03 November 2004
Post-Election
Man, am I beat!!! Yesterday was the biggest day in my young life, as I was a candidate for the very first time. Getting to my home precinct at 5:45 AM, I was welcomed with a line that wrapped around the firehouse, and pouring rain. I jumped out and proceeded to convince people to vote for me for County Council. It was fun, talking with voters, handing out palmcards letting voters know where I stand, yada yada yada. I was there with two people from the GOP side. We talked and joked, and I think that it made the morning go fairly quickly.
I finally voted at about 9 AM, after waiting in line 30 minutes. I was so busy at the precinct that I ran out of palmcards to hand out. Thankfully, LPIN Chair Mark Rutherford was coming from another precinct, and he gladly picked up more for me. At 6 PM, I packed up, tired and water-logged and made my way to Indy for the post-election party.
In Indy, it was a who's who of libertarians. We all kicked back, ate and drank, watching poll numbers come in statewide and nationally with the presidential race. I found out that I pulled 6% in a 5-way race for three seats. Usually a Libertarian candidate pulls 2-3% in a 3-way, but I did much better than I ever dreamed of doing. I joked if I received 10%, I'd do an Irish jig, but everyone was spared of my Riverdance routine (thankfully).
I want to especially thank Phil Miller, for his guidance and support, as well as showing me one year ago that there are people like me that believe in personal freedom and small government. I want to thank the support from a lot of great people, so numerous I'll probably forget one or two. Brad Klopfenstein, Mark Rutherford, Sam and Jame Goldstein, Rebecca Sink-Burris, Sheri Sharlow, Mike Kole, Rob Place, Margaret Fette, Paul Ehrstein, the list goes on and on, thank you very much for believing in me this year. I plan to win in 2006.
I finally voted at about 9 AM, after waiting in line 30 minutes. I was so busy at the precinct that I ran out of palmcards to hand out. Thankfully, LPIN Chair Mark Rutherford was coming from another precinct, and he gladly picked up more for me. At 6 PM, I packed up, tired and water-logged and made my way to Indy for the post-election party.
In Indy, it was a who's who of libertarians. We all kicked back, ate and drank, watching poll numbers come in statewide and nationally with the presidential race. I found out that I pulled 6% in a 5-way race for three seats. Usually a Libertarian candidate pulls 2-3% in a 3-way, but I did much better than I ever dreamed of doing. I joked if I received 10%, I'd do an Irish jig, but everyone was spared of my Riverdance routine (thankfully).
I want to especially thank Phil Miller, for his guidance and support, as well as showing me one year ago that there are people like me that believe in personal freedom and small government. I want to thank the support from a lot of great people, so numerous I'll probably forget one or two. Brad Klopfenstein, Mark Rutherford, Sam and Jame Goldstein, Rebecca Sink-Burris, Sheri Sharlow, Mike Kole, Rob Place, Margaret Fette, Paul Ehrstein, the list goes on and on, thank you very much for believing in me this year. I plan to win in 2006.
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