It's That Time Again

In case you've been living under a rock for the last year, it's an election year.  As has become my custom, I have reviewed the sample Madison County ballot available at the Alabama Secretary state's website and write to provide my "endorsements" (for what it's worth and for the two people who read this blog).  So, here goes - in the order from the ballot:

President - Romney.  This is kind of a "well, duh" for me.  There is no doubt in my mind that a Romney/Ryan administration will be leaps and bounds better than the current set.  The reasons are legion.  Here's just one.

U.S. Congress, AL-5 - Mo Brooks.  Mo has been a great congressman and is a good friend.  I whole-heartedly endorse his re-election.  

Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court - Bob Vance.  Despite, my natural inclination to support my Party's nominee,  I can't support Roy Moore.  I believe his actions the last time he was Chief Justice should have resulted in his disbarment and disqualify him from serving as a judge.  Judge Vance is a good and fair judge.  I think he would do a fine job and would not have an agenda.  However, I think Moore will probably win.  

Many of the other judicial spots are not being opposed, so I will vote for the incumbents. (The same with Dale Strong for County Commission Chairman.)  There is one exception.  Please, please, PLEASE do NOT vote for Linda Coats for District Judge.  Write someone in, anyone.  I will be writing in Chris Messervy, the person who won the Republican Primary.  What the state party did by removing Chris and placing Coats, a poor choice, on the ballot was disgusting.  

Public Service Commission - Cavanaugh.  I'm not a huge Twinkle fan, but Baxley has had her time.  She's old and a democrat.  

Madison County Probate Judge - Patty Demos.  Beyond, being the Republican, Demos is an attorney.  Ragland has no legal training.  I don't say that to be condescending or elitist, but the Probate Judge has enough responsibilities for which legal training really is needed that having an attorney in the office will help it run more efficiently   

County Commission District 3 - Sisk.  It's time for the Commission to be representative of a Republican county.


There are a lot of Constitutional Amendments on the ballot this year - a function of the nature of our state's constitution.  You can find some more information on these amendments here, here, and here.  

Statewide Amendment 1 - No.  This amendment would extend payments to the Forever Wild Land Trust for 20 years.  This sounds nice, but the state is having budget problems.  I may change my mind, though, since the amendment just extends payments being received from the oil and gas trust fund.

Statewide Amendment 2 - No.  This amendment would allow the state to incur more debt.  On principle, I think that it a bad idea.  

Statewide Amendment 3 - Yes.  This would set aside a historic district in Baldwin County, without any addition tax expenditures.

Statewide Amendment 4 - Yes.  This is principally a feel good amendment to remove racist language from other parts of the State's Constitution.

Statewide Amendment 5 - Yes.  This amendment effects the friendly transfer of liabilities from the Prichard Water and Sewer Board to Mobile.

Statewide Amendment 6 - Yes.  This is an Obamacare opt-out.  It would prohibit mandatory participation in a Federal health care system.  It is a challenge to the overreach of Obamacare and should be supported.

Statewide Amendment 7  - Yes.  This amendment would protect the right of secret ballot in labor votes regarding whether or not to unionize.  

Statewide Amendment 8 - Yes.  This amendment would limit and peg the pay of members of the Alabama legislature to the median income in Alabama and would prohibit the legislature from setting its own pay.

Statewide Amendment 9 - Yes.  This one is a little confusing, but, best I can tell, it removes obsolete provisions from the corporation law, while preserving the right of the state to level business privilege taxes and pass other laws related to corporations.

Statewide Amendment 10 - ???, but probably yes.  This is another doozy.  It has very confusing wording.  As best I can tell, it modernizes the state banking system, including removing the gold standard.

Statewide Amendment 11 -  I think, yes.  This amendment prohibits any town located entirely outside of Lawrence County - i.e., Decatur - from imposing any municipal ordinance on Lawrence County.  Apparently, the police jurisdiction of Decatur currently reaches into Lawrence County.  

Local Amendment 1 - Sure.  This local amendment applies only to Madison County and would create a procedure whereby dogs may be declared dangerous and put down.

There you go.  Take them or leave them, those are my recommendations.  However you choose to vote, please just vote.  It is one of our most valuable rights.  Good luck.   

Disturbing

This disturbs me, and has for some time.  It has always struck me how the President has been building a cult of personality like we have seen in communist countries (the USSR, China, Romania, Cuba) and other authoritarian regimes (Nazi Germany).  It is sad to me that we are seeing it exhibited with so many of our youth in 21st century America.  Just a thought on this Friday.

Hmmm...

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Regardless, I think this clip hurt my brain a little bit.

If I wanted America to fail,...

This is a great video.  Worth a watch.

One Term is Enough

A compelling video (the Tom Hanks propaganda "documentary" notwithstanding):

Dear Alabama Republicans

The Alabama Republican Primary is just a few days away. For the first time in my voting life, we are actually kind of important. I though I would give my thoughts on the races (in case either of you are wondering). I'll save the big race for last.

1. U.S. Representative, AL District 5: This call is easy. Mo Brooks is the one to vote for. He has done an excellent job in his first term. In terms of integrity, ability, and policy his towers above Parker Griffith - who is motivated by little more than a desire to be important and to get back at Mo for cleaning his clock last time.

2. Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court: My vote is going to the "incumbent," Chuck Malone. Malone was appointed by Governor Bentley to finish the term of retiring Democrat Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. Malone has done a good job in his limited time there, particularly in fulfilling is managerial responsibilities. As long as Roy Moore loses by a lot, though, I'll be satisfied.

3. Associate Justice, Place 1, Alabama Supreme Court: I don't feel really strongly about this race, though I think I'll probably vote for Tommy Bryan. Bryan is currently on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. For me, that experience just barely outweighs his annoying commercials. Something about running as though he was auditioning to be a pastor bothers me. It confirms my concerns about electing judges, but that's the topic of a different post.

4. Public Service Commission President: I'll be voting for Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh. I'm not a huge fan, but Peterson is ridiculous and I don't know anything about the other guy.

5. Madison County District Court Judge: I am enthusiastically supporting Chris Messervy. I have known Chris for a long time, both personally and professionally. I have every confidence he will be a hard working and fair judge. I don't know much about the other candidates. I know that Rizardi is a DA. I fear that, as a result, he would be to one-sided in the criminal cases that come before him.

6. Madison County Circuit Clerk: I'll be sticking with the incumbent, Jane Smith. She does a fine job and I see no reason to change.

7. Madison County Probate Judge: I'll be voting for Patty Demos. Madison County has become large enough that I think it's time that our probate judge is a lawyer. Legal training is not a requirement for probate judges in Alabama.

8. Chairman, Madison County Commission: I'll be voting for Dale Strong. Both candidates have their weaknesses. I lean towards Dale because he knows how the commission works. I think he is kind of a career politician, who has done what career politicians do. However, Parker has been tying to get into politics for decades. I think he just wants the corner office and the sense of importance.

9. Member of the County Commission, District 3: I really have no idea. I've seen all their fliers and they all look decent on paper. I'll probably vote for Beal because I know someone who knows him. But, I may vote for Jones because of an ad that I heard this morning.

10. President of the United States: Now for the big one. No surprises here. I enthusiastically and energetically encourage my friends and neighbors in Alabama (and elsewhere) to vote for Mitt Romney. I wish I had time to go into the reasons. Needless to say, I believe he is the best man for the job. He is one of the most uniquely qualified candidates for President we have had in a long time. Some others have take the time to discuss the reasons. Please check them out here, here, and here. There are more. Mitt is going to win the nomination; it's just a matter of when he "locks it up." I hope that Alabama will help finish this primary out so that we can start focusing on the real, and most important, challenge - defeating President Obama in November.

CPAC

Mitt gave a great speech at CPAC today. Check it out:

On "RomneyCare"

This article by Ann Coulter is one of the best I've seen lately on "RomneyCare." She knocks it out of the park in her typical witty fashion. It is a quick read and makes simple, solid arguments. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is tempted to think that Romney is not conservative or should not be considered as the GOP nominee the Massachusetts health care reform.