Mary's Musings

I was not watching TV, nor did I see the ad. For most Americans, this was the first time we had heard of any controversy surrounding the record of Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. But, the real truth of the matter may never be discovered. Because everything depends on who you believe.

When one visits campaign websites and reads what the candidates' positions are on issues, there is very little difference philosophically between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Both claim they have a pro-working-class agenda and want to increase aid to the poor. They both see education and health care, as well as bringing an end to the Iraq conflict, as top priorities.

I phoned the Washington offices of two U.S. Representatives, Republican, from the state of Washington (my state). I urge you to do the same in your own state. Staff are very courteous, and I had a very promising conversation with the aide to Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. Others of you in Washington can call her office at 202-225-2006. Don't be shy!

The other individual I called was Congressman Doc Hastings, 202-225-5816

Our representatives appreciate hearing from us since they do represent "us"!

Anyone who knows me understands that I am not a "yes-man (woman)". I have been voting in Presidential elections since 1984 when Ronald Reagan was running under the slogan "Four more years". (I was too young to vote before that.) It was also the year I graduated high school and my parents determinedly made the necessary sacrifices to see that I finished college. 

The Democrat debate sponsored by the Des Moines Register in Iowa was not much more inspiring than the Republican debate. With fewer candidates, we got to hear from each of them more often, and the debate itself was managed better the second time around.

You can watch the entire debate here, but I really don't recommend it unless you have insomnia.

I just spent several hours listening to and watching the Des Moines Register GOP debate. Debates are important for a couple of reasons. First, you really see first-hand how a candidate handles him- or herself in front of a camera. Second, candidates sometimes will reveal something meaningful about his or her agenda. Third, we get a look at how much pandering a candidate is willing to do.

Before talking about any other candidates for President of the United States, I want to outline the views and priorities of Mary R. (myself) for President:

1) Federal government and education --
** edited ** Remove all federal regulations and programs and replace with the following: ** end edited content **
a) give each state a specific dollar amount per school age child in the state; money must be used toward teacher salaries (dollar amount can be based on an average cost of living in the state)

Second in the Presidential candidate search is Senator Hillary R. Clinton. While serving as a U.S. Senator, we have not only her own statements to look at, but we also have her voting record. Despite the close connection between the senator and former President Bill Clinton, I am going to reserve judgment after laying it all out here.