I don't have to live there to care.

There are some in this little virtual community that feel I have no stake in New Albany or the affairs that govern the city. It is true that I do not live in the city limits. The fact is, I live in the county of Floyd (barely) in the great state of Indiana in the greatest nation that has ever existed. I will defend the people that government tramples - hence the name of this blog. I will speak out on wasteful spending of tax dollars and crooked politicians. I will remind readers of campaign promises and lies that go unreported. I have spoken out on surrounding municipalities such as Charlestown and Jeffersonville. I have blogged about local, state and national topics. I do not blog about the ultimate dream of European style governance that others wish existed here. Comments are always welcome, but my convictions are solid and based in truth and conservative values. I may not live in New Albany, but my love for America and my little piece of that dream compel me to speak out. Even those that disagree with me have acknowledged broken promises by the mayor and have expressed many ways in which the money could be better utilized. Why then do they defend a man that has a record of lies and shadiness? Are they that tightly connected to a party that their vision is blurred? I will continue to speak out against any administration, right or left, that misappropriates the peoples funds or attempts to hide the truth no matter the location.

New Albany to Consider Salaries

That is the headline atop the Indiana section of today's Courier-Journal. Seems like I have heard about this somewhere? The article quotes the new mayor as saying the new salaries are important because they will help him "get moving" with his agenda. His agenda includes attracting more businesses downtown, as well as lining the pockets of a few friends. The last part of the agenda there was derived by the author. How about taking that $160,000, still don't know where they will get it, and hiring three or four more officers? Reducing the crime in downtown might attract more businesses and residents. How about fixing some sidewalks so folks can actually get to the businesses downtown? How about sticking to a campaign promise of not hiring anyone for economic development? Kevin Zurschmeide (R) feels that the mayor should have a chance to hire the staff he needs. Well Kevin, let's make sure that we question authority. Now is your chance New Albany. Tonight's meeting is at 7:30 on the third floor of the City-County building. Let your voices be heard tonight. Are there any fiscally conservative Democrats left? Any concerned citizens? Any New Albanians that are waiting for this sleepy river town to wake up?

Rush the Kool-Aid Man and Indiana's Short Session

I've got a couple things on my mind tonight so this might be all over the place, but here goes. Rush Limbaugh constantly states that he doesn't get involved in primary endorsements, but lately he has done his share of bashing all but two Republican candidates. That sounds an awful lot like and endorsement to me. His argument goes like this - Everyone wants change and the Republicans say the era of Reagan is over. Rush says it isn't over unless we nominate Huckabee or McCain. Then the party will be split and broken forever. I say Bull - oney! How is Rudy more conservative than Mike Huckabee? Rudy is pro gay marriage, pro abortion rights, pro gun control along with a personal history that looks suspiciously Clintonesque. Now Romney looks more conservative than Rudy, but then who isn't? Oh yeah, McCain isn't. Mitt has a history of flipping on issues more than others. Let's not fool ourselves about this man's faith either. Talk about splitting a party. Maybe it shouldn't be an issue, but it is. Rush has made up his mind and has finally let the cat out. He doesn't like middle America, evangelical conservatives. You are smart enough to make up your own mind - aren't you?

Now to Indiana's short legislative session. You see there is no budget to pass this time around and, oh yeah, it is an election year so the good folks take off early to campaign. All the talk has been about property taxes. There is another very important issue that desperately needs your action. SJR 7 is in committee and needs to pass, or a resolution has to be established, for the marriage amendment to appear on the fall ballot. This needs to happen this fall. Presidential elections bring voter turnout up and that will help this cause. Call your representative and tell them to push SJR 7 through, now! This is too important to put on the back burner. I'm sure they can work on two things at once.

Has Conservatism Come To This?

We hear it all the time - The Republican Party is at a crossroads. There is talk of a new party being formed. Controlling interests want to take the party in different directions. Where did it all go wrong. The Republican Party - the party of Lincoln and Reagan - is a mere shadow of its former self. The contract with America that ushered Newt Gingrich and the Republican majority into power in congress in the mid 1990's has vanished. It used to be personal responsibility, lower taxes through smaller government, peace through strength and a return to the moral gravity that founded this country and kept it on track. Now it's earmarks and the largest government since the Great Society. It's breaking from the party to withhold money from the troops. It's limiting free speech by so called campaign finance reform. It's open borders and closed markets. These days it is difficult to tell the difference between McCain and Bill Richardson. At least Richardson has balanced a budget! Let's face it people, none of the candidates on the right are truly right. They all have issues that do not line up with traditional conservative values. Does that mean we split the party or refuse to vote because there are issues? We can't afford that. The alternative is even worse. The grassroots campaign has begun. Just like the summer of 2007 when we crashed the switchboard on the Hill, we need to let these candidates know what we expect. We need to find qualified people to run for office. We need to reclaim the conservative platform before it vanishes. The alarm clock is going off, don't hit the snooze button.