Vote Today!
We’ve only got once shot at changing this country. No matter what the polls say, we need everybody out today. Even if your state isn’t competitive, get out and vote.
You’re going to hear a recurring word tonight: Mandate.
If we can get a commanding popular vote, not only will we see an electoral victory, we’ll see a commanding mandate for change. I don’t want to just beat these guys, I want to devastate and demoralize them. Let’s run up the score on today.
Also, if you have some spare time today, make phone calls. You can easily knock out 25 get out the vote calls in 30-40 minutes. Simply go to http://my.barackobama.com/n2n.
Letter to the Editor – Buy American
John McCain opposes “Buy American” initiatives in government and defense spending, calling provisions that encourage the government to purchase products from American companies “the worst, most disgraceful aspect of the legislative process in Washington”. Whether you’re conservative or liberal or the majority of us in between, I think we can all agree that if the government is going to spend taxpayer money, they should spend it in America wherever possible.
What does it say about McCain’s views on defense spending if he’s willing to entrust our national security to products manufactured by the Chinese to shave a few bucks off the national budget? This is one-dimensional thinking, using the hatchet instead of the scalpel. We shouldn’t sacrifice American jobs at the altar of spending control. For my money, I’d rather spend a little more and have it reinvested here, using American workers who have an interest in making quality equipment that will adequately protect our soldiers. Let’s not forget about that Boeing deal McCain likes to brag about killing. Besides overestimating the money he saved the government, he fails to mention that the failure led to the loss of up to 44,000 manufacturing jobs, shipped to Europe under the deal he helped renegotiate. In his mockery of “Buy American” initiatives, he said “I know we’ll sleep better at night knowing that all of our carbon plates are manufactured in the U.S.”
Phrases like this are not without precedent. This is the same John McCain that, in defense of amnesty for illegal aliens, offered a town hall audience $50/hour ($104,000 a year) to pick lettuce in Yuma. When he got takers, he told them flatly they couldn’t do it, as if workers in this country can’t compete on a work ethic or ability level with workers brought in from another country.
Rodney Hopper II
Letter to the Editor – Rural America
As Election Day approaches, we’re seeing the rhetoric get more vitriolic. There’ve been times when I’ve admittedly embraced this ugliness. I’ve decided to follow Obama’s lead and make the remainder of this campaign about plans and policies.
I want to start with Obama’s plan to improve lives in rural America, including many of the families in Ellis County. That begins with leveling the playing field for family farms struggling to compete with the huge corporate mega-farms to get their crops and livestock to market. Obama will implement a $250,000 payment limit and close loopholes so corporate agribusinesses aren’t abusing the subsidies and tax breaks intended for individual and family farms. Obama will also implement and enforce country of origin labeling. Obama understands the need to cultivate a new generation of farmers and ranchers, particularly organic, and proposes a new program partnering with land grant universities and programs such as 4-H and FFA to provide education and training to young farmers, halting the depletion of family farming. Obama’s a supporter of the Farm Bill and attended Farm Aid at the personal request of Willie Nelson.
Farming is not the only aspect of rural life. Obama’s plan also includes incentives for medical professionals, teachers, and businesses to move to rural areas; expanded rural broadband; increased rural infrastructure; protections of sportsmen’s rights; and a crackdown on methamphetamine manufacturing, a plague on rural life.
I planned a complete comparison with McCain’s plan for rural America, but there’s really not one. The rural section of his website shows his standard rhetoric, “Establishing a comprehensive energy strategy”, “Controlling taxation and regulation”, “Eliminating wasteful government spending”, interchangeable under any number of topics. He opposed the Farm Bill and endorses Brazilian ethanol over American ethanol. It appears McCain’s opposition of “Buy American” initiatives extends past manufacturing into agriculture.
Rodney A Hopper II
Misinformation
A lot of misinformation is being spread to voters, especially here in Texas.
The two biggest are these:
1. If you voted in the primary for Barack Obama, you don’t have to vote in the general election.
FALSE - You must vote again during early voting from October 20th to October 31st or on general election day, November 4 for your vote to count.
2. If you vote straight Democratic ticket, you must also mark Barack Obama for President.
FALSE – If you vote straight Democratic ticket AND Barack Obama, you actually cancel out your Obama vote. Either vote straight Dem OR each individual office.
Canvassing
Time is running out.
We’re going to canvas Precinct 108 in Midlothian on Saturday, October 18. Begin arriving at the Starbucks in Midlothian at 9:00 a.m. and we’ll head out at 9:30 a.m.
We can discuss a plan of attack (neighborhood assignments, goals, break time, etc) just before we head out. Transportation, walk lists, maps, and scripts will be provided. Starbucks in Midlothian (Midlothian, TX) 190 North Highway 67 Midlothian, TX 76065
Email rodney@rodneyhopper.com for questions.
Ellis County TX Planning
There will be a meeting tomorrow night at the Starbucks in Midlothian at 6:45 p.m.. We’ll be discussing phone banking and canvassing.
Starbucks is located on the corner of 67 and 287 in front of Wal-Mart at the folowing address:
190 North Hwy 67
Midlothian, TX 76065
For more information, email rodney@rodneyhopper.com or click the following link:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5p4c
Obama’s Middle Class Rescue Package
Obama this afternoon outlined his Rescue Plan for the Middle-Class, a pragmatic approach economic relief for the rest of us. In today’s speech, Obama showed the steadiness, poise, and call to action of a president. Indeed, during the ten minutes he spoke today, he was the president.
High points include –
Prepared Remarks after the Jump.
Read the rest of this entry »
Palin Booed At Hockey Game
Sarah Palin was scheduled to drop the opening puck at the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers game. From the minute her name was announced, the crowd erupted… in boos. For the entire 90 seconds she was on the ice, she was booed mercilessly. You can even hear the boos over the obnoxiously loud music. In the video, you can see the fans giving Palin the thumbs down. I especially love the huge Obama-Biden sign in the background.
According to a Fox News report:
The GOP Vice-Presidential nominee said at an earlier fundraiser that she would stop some of the booing from the rowdy Philadelphia fans by putting her seven year old daughter, Piper in a Flyers jersey. She said, “How dare they boo Piper!”
Looks like the tactic didn’t work.
Entire Texas US Senate Debate
Here’s the entire Texas US Senate Debate between Democrat Rick Noriega, Republican John Cornyn, and Libertarian Yvonne Schick. The debate was rather disjointed and the inclusion of Schick seemed a bit forced, though I’m glad a third party candidate got recognized. The one minute answers and 30 second follow-ups were way too condensed and didn’t allow any candidate to elaborate on their positions.
Most reviews I’ve read indicate Noriega as the winner and I would agree, though, again, the odd format makes it hard to determine any clear winner. Cornyn did, however, make two odd statements that I believe will come back to bite him: “I support the status quo.” and “if I was in Rep. Noriega’s position (being the incumbent), and I was unable to raise money”. He also mischaracterized Hillary Clinton’s vote on FISA.
There will be another in Dallas on Thursday, October 16, 2008. Check your local listings.
US Senate Debate in Texas with John Cornyn, Rick Noreiga, and Yvonne Schick Libertarian Scientologist from Anonymous Houston on Vimeo.
Noriega vs Cornyn Tonight
With all the hoopla over Obama vs McCain, Texans are overlooking a major debate taking place tonight. Apparently in view of sinking poll numbers and a tightening race, John Cornyn is debating Rick Noriega (endorsed by this site) tonight on PBS at 8 p.m. Check your local listings.
Rick Noriega, US Senate Candidate for Texas
