A Tax is a Tax!

Until now, I have not expressed my views openly about the Bridges Project and the tolling associated with it. I am pro-business and low tax kind of guy. That is why I am solidly against tolling existing bridges in our community.

If we build an east end bridge and put a toll on that bridge alone, that is a user fee. While this situation is not ideal, it is tolerable. However, if we toll bridges that already exist and are paid for, that is a TAX. As a conservative, I cannot support that. If this is truly the only way to build a bridge or bridges, then I say don't build them at all.

Feds to Track Gold Purchases

As more and more details come out on the health care bill, we find a little tid-bit about how the government will pay for some of it. Tucked away in the dark pages is a call for the IRS to start tracking purchases of gold over $600 beginning January 1, 2012. The current price of one ounce of gold is about $1200. When I first heard about this I asked myself if this was just about the taxes or is it also about tracking who has the gold. Remember our government has a history of taking your gold. Check out the full story here.

What's In A Name?

This past week, Kentucky officials announced the reopening of Otter Creek Park. There are a few changes being made there. The main change is that hunting will be allowed during special in season hunts. But, what really struck me as odd was the change in name. Otter Creek Park will now be known as Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't an outdoor recreation area the exact definition of a park? What is next? Renaming a laundromat an indoor clothes cleaning area? Enough with the lunacy and political correctness.

Congressman Tom McClintock Tells Mexico To Butt Out

Drawing From Our Heritage

The Conscience

The Heart

The Voice

A Win for Indiana Concealed Carriers

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled earlier this month in favor of a man that was handcuffed during a traffic stop because he was in possession of a firearm. The man was in legal possession with a necessary permit. The man's Fourth Amendment rights were infringed upon, according to the court. Simply having a gun does not necessitate an officer restraining someone for safety.

Also on the good news front: Governor Daniels has signed a bill that will let homeowners put political yard signs out 30 days before an election regardless of Home Owner's Association restrictions. Score one for free speech.

The Battlefield of Ideas

There are those in this community that abhor contested primaries. They claim it takes away necessary resources from the "real" campaign. They dislike conflict in the party ranks. To them I say "compete on the battlefield of ideas." I have worked on several campaigns, but never on my own. I have walked door to door for candidates that I believe in, but never for myself. I have watched from the sidelines as my community sets the course. Well, now I am in the fight. I am jumping in with both feet and not looking back. I have ideas on how to improve this county. I am not frightened by anyone else that wishes to question me or share their own ideas. I welcome it. The benefits of contested primaries far out weigh the draw backs. A contested primary forces candidates to get out there early. It causes one to find ways to get those ideas out in the open. In the end, doesn't that help the entire community? I welcome the competition of a primary battle, a battle of ideas.

The Campaign Web Site Is Up!

The campaign web site has gone live. Check it out at www.danielshort.org or click the link to the right. I will not go negative in this campaign. I am the candidate with fresh ideas and those ideas are what I will stand on. Give me feedback please. Thanks again for all the support.

Sodrel to Announce Today

I received the email just after midnight and it confirmed what Mike had told me in confidence after Sunday service...he is once again running for the 9th district congressional seat. The email text follows:

Media Blast

Mike Sodrel, "One of Us"
Jeffersonville, IN - January 11th, 2010- Sodrel Says YES!

Mike Sodrel announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for Indiana's 9th Congressional District.



"The Obama administration and Pelosi's Congress are doing all the wrong things. They have spent the last year on health care legislation. We need to get the economy back on track. We need to create real jobs, not another huge government bureaucracy. And you don't pull a country out of an economic slump by hurting the people who do the hiring. Additional taxes, government takeovers and programs like 'cap and trade' would do just that."



"I've been in business for years and we've faced hard times before. The way out of those hard times never came from higher taxes or more regulations or a government takeover."



"We cannot keep spending money in hopes of spending our way out of debt. We are writing checks that our grandchildren are going to have to pay. We are printing money and eroding the value of the savings of hardworking Americans. The debt we are creating with short-term spending today will be a long-term burden for generations yet unborn. For their future and for the future of our county, this cannot continue."



"For many years," Sodrel said, "I've worked hard to make my business a success; the same principle countless other small businessmen and women across America follow. These are the same principles that are needed now, more than ever, to return prosperity to America. This country needs less government, not more. It needs more liberty, not less. It needs less debt and lower taxes. It needs to return to the founding principles that made our country a great nation, and that will preserve that greatness for our children and our grandchildren. That's why I am running for Congress."



Mike Sodrel has been married to Keta Sodrel for 42 years, is the father of two and the grandfather of seven. He is a member of Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany. He served in the National Guard and is a member of the American Legion. He served as Congressman from the 9th Congressional District from 2005 to 2007.



Sodrel is the former CEO of Sodrel Truck Lines and Sodrel Logistics, and founded the Free Enterprise motor coach company in 1976, He logged over a million miles as a commercial truck driver and helped created over 600 good paying jobs.



He has served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations in southern Indiana, including the Providence House for Children in Georgetown, and he has served as a past regional council president of the Boy Scouts of America.



The Clark County Republican Party is hosting kickoff event for the Sodrel campaign at their headquarters, located at 2946 E 10th St, Unit 5 in Jeffersonville (behind the BMV License Branch). You are invited to come over and meet Mike Sodrel from 5pm to 7pm.


Stay tuned. This should be on heckuva ride.

Ray Stevens Tells it Like it is.

Hat tip to Deb.