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 find it rather frustrating that the candidates, all of them, make statements about a particular cause without giving us a broader understanding of his or her position on issues that matter more to some of us than others. For example, if technology is your bag and your primary concern is digital and internet technologies, there are hundreds of issues that are clearly too complex for sound bites. Yet, even on candidates' websites, we find the candidates themselves are dead silent on issues regarding the internet, and protecting the rights of speech, ownership, etc.

With Christmas just 5 days away, I am at home with the flu. Fortunately, I seem to have been through the worst of it and should be somewhat back to normal by the weekend. Here in the Seattle area we have had rain, rain, rain. Just today, however, a blue sky opened up. In the midst of it all, the candidates have prepared their own "holiday messages" to share with America.Enjoy.

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. 

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)