Politics, Elections and Letters to the Editor

I am a very independent minded person when it comes to politics. I have had a long love for the political since I was in high school and ran (and won) for two different student council offices. I also participated two years in the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature and loved every minute of it. I co-majored in political science in college. I am friends with Democrats and Republicans, and elect to vote in whichever primary has the most choices or the ones where my vote is most likely to make a difference. Since I am so independent minded, I tend to vote for as many "losers" as "winners."

This week Alabama held her primary elections. I hate all the political ads leading up to elections, particularly the negative ones. I often vote against a candidate who resorts to negative advertising. It's just my way of protesting.

I also despise political ads that appeal to fear, distrust, or baser instincts we humans have. So, Tim James, it doesn't make sense to me that with a standing federal court order prohibiting it, that we offer the drivers' license exam in only English. After all, German, Japanese, and Korean companies have all brought good jobs to our region!

And, Martha Roby, in whose district I do NOT live, I congratulate you but want to remind you that Nancy Pelosi is not a candidate for representative in the 2nd district! Bobby Bright is a good man, so run on your platform and not against Nancy. And Mike Rogers, in whose district I DO live, it's time you gave a substantial portion of your time and interest to MONTGOMERY!!! We need the "outer loop" funded to move a lot of the traffic off of Taylor Road. With all the stimulus money that was floated out there, it seems that some should be put to work to help fund these "infrastructure" projects that provide needed jobs. And to all the candidates, but mostly Republican candidates, our ALABAMA issues are not abortion, same-sex marriage, and no more taxes. Like Dr. Bentley said, "we all are pro-life" so let's talk about "FAIR" taxes instead of NO taxes. If removing an income tax deduction for one group amounts to raising taxes, then Ronald Reagan's famous "tax-cut" was a TAX INCREASE because the deduction for sales taxes (Alabama's highest tax) was removed as were consumer interest deductions. I actually paid more taxes after the "cut" than before. Let's remove the sales tax from groceries!!!! It's immoral to force a 10% surcharge on basic necessities that are needed to live while giving big tax breaks to people who don't need them. Let's be pro-life there also!

Dr. Lori White won the Republican nomination for the Montgomery County School Board.
My friend and colleague, Jane Ferguson, lost in her bid for the Democratic nomination for that seat against Beverly Ross. According to a friend and political pro, the election for this seat is the most important election in Montgomery County.
I encourage all residents of District 7 to be sure and vote in November for Dr. Lori White. While turnout was very low, one encouraging sign is that Lori got more votes in the Republican primary than did Ross and Ferguson combined in the Democratic primary. Maybe I should rent an apartment and take up residence in District 7 before November.

Well, we still don't know who will run in the runoff election July 13 against Bradley Byrne. Congratulations to Dr. Robert Bentley for running a clean campaign on a low budget. Maybe I ought to sent you a contribution. You make sense to me, and, even though I know there are issues on which we disagree, you seem like an honorable man who can disagree without getting ugly about it. I will be anxious to see if you do make the runoff.

The one constitutional amendment on the ballot failed. Good. We ought to vote down every single amendment because WE NEED A NEW CONSTITUTION!!!!!! We have the longest state constitution in the nation, one that was written specifically to disfranchise blacks, women, and the poor, and to concentrate power in the hands of a few in Montgomery. I keep hearing those (mostly Republican) politicians say a convention would be dominated by special interests. Well, our state is already dominated by special interests!!!! Just look at how many Political Action Committees we have now, over 900!!!!!! And, what is wrong with getting government closer to the people by allowing HOME RULE so we don't have to propose statewide amendments to get a local bond issue or annex an area to a city.


Well, enough of my rants! Study the issues, listen to multiple positions, and be sure to VOTE in every election. Have a blessed day!