Why are you here?

I am very busy helping in the Governor's race and in AD37...HEY....shouldn't you be somewhere helping a candidate?

Republican Loss Offers Rhinos Hope

My Republican friends, the few that I have, are very moderate ones. We agree on probably 90% of all issues. These RHINO's, as their own party calls them, have been derided, ignored, and taken for granted for the past few years. Any suggestion of moderation has been met with litmus tests as to the loyalty of these good Americans. That many have still remained in the party can, from my way of thinking, only be genetic. It may be good that they have remained as our state and country will need them to rebuild the Republican Party into an effective opposition party that will hold the Democratic Party from repeating the same mistakes of absolute power.
Rhinos, I think, recognize this opportunity and will sit out this election. It would be too much for them to vote democratic. The extremists have acted as if Rhinos did not matter and if I were one, I'd let them reap their just reward.

Backing Away From The Edge

A couple of days ago I blogged (Now mostly deleted) about 37th AD Candidate Greg Gasper's past conviction for possession of drugs. In my glee of the moment, I wrote things that were unkind and inappropriate. Worse, I may have hurt the feelings of some of those who I care the most about. As I was reminded, people can and do change. Of course they can and do. Usually this act of contrition also causes one to have a little more humility than with which one started. When these things happen to my family members or students, I always welcome them to the human race. Nothing unites us more than acknowledging our lack of perfection. In fact, the people I like most are those who have gone through a few rough times, some self imposed and others not.

In thinking about why I would do such a usually out of character thing, I do offer an explanation but there is not excuse for resorting to this type of thing.

True, politics is a very dirty business. Many people will do anything for the power. I am a politics junkie who has over the last few years become completely convinced that our country is going in a direction. I've resented greatly the people who try to impose their morality system on others. The bigotry displayed against the Hispanic immigrants, the gays and the poor, the erosion of Constitutional rights, the lies that led to an unjust war, and the hypocrisy displayed by our mostly Republican leaders have all led me to the point where I want a change in government NOW!

In Wisconsin, these same Republicans have an opportunity to replicate what has been going on in Washington if Mark Green is elected governor. The very thought is repugnant.

Greg Gasper represents, at least in my mind, a continuation of these non democratic and dangerous principles. When I saw that he had made a mistake 10 years ago, I pounced. Not because the mistake was reason to be excluded from the human race but that it would be reason enough for some not to vote for him. It certainly had no effect on how I would vote. In fact, if the same were true about Andy Jorgensen, I would still vote for him.

Thanks Sonny for the reality check!

37th Republican Candidate Had A Secret

Progressive Majority Wisconsin has posted an article concerning the conviction of Republican Candidate Greg Gasper 10 years ago for drug possession.
While I would not want everyone examining everything I've ever done wrong over the years, I am not running for public office. Today everything is fair in politics and it is a very nasty business. Voters have the right to know all the information they can about the candidates before they vote.
At any rate, this new information does not affect my vote. I've been for Andy Jorgensen since before the primaries.