Demopublicans vs. Republocrats

The hits just keep on comin' for old Tom DeLay and the Republocrats. In this latest story, it appears the Washington Post has come across credit card statements disclosing Delay's hotel, airfare and golf were paid for by lobbyists. Huh...who woulda thunk it??

It's been amazing to see the Republocrats defense of DeLay. Statements like "He's a good man." or the ever popular "Everybody's doing it." defense.

With that kind of logic applied, I'm certain they (the Republocrats) would be speaking out in defense of Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton if the roles were reversed...Riiiiiiight...

Candidate Forum Report

Well, I don't think I came off as a total idiot, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. Actually, the night went pretty well. There were five of us there on Thursday night. The sixth candidate was a no show because she was in Atlanta with the Robotics team.

I've never been so nerved up for something in my life. I felt as though I needed to hurl out both ends the entire day. My nerves were quite evident from the opening bell.

Once I finished my opening statement, which I had prepared ahead of time, I looked up to see my wife in the crowd. She was telling me, via lip reading, that I should stop my legs from moving back and forth at Mach 5 immediately. I was unconsciously spending nervous energy beneath the table and there was no curtain draped over the front. Everyone in the audience could see my legs moving back and forth madly. Nice.

My only saving grace was that I was sitting next to George Jacob, one of the incumbents running for re-election. What a great guy. I will definitely be voting for him on May 3rd.

If you'd like to read the re-cap of the night's event, here's a link to the Grand Rapids Press' report. One of my statements, by the way, was reported out of context in the article.

When making a point about the No Child Left Behind Act, I stated the district was being well served by the faculty and administrators at Pine Creek after all their effort restructuring the school. The reporter noted that I said the district was being well served by NCLB. I noted we need to take the good with the bad...Oh well.

One picture says it all...

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words...This one is priceless in the message it conveys...

Not the Press' Darling

So I didn't receive the endorsement of the Grand Rapids Press Editorial Staff. Oh well...I was hopeful, of course, but not real confident they would come out and endorse anyone over the current board members.

The difficult choices and time are ahead of us. Perhaps in the next election cycle, there will be compelling reasons to make changes to the current administration. For now, however, times are good.

What I can bring to the table is a different perspective and alternate point of view. The view of the taxpayer from the public at large. I'm not an education professional, nor I am a politician. I'm confident I can be the voice of reason during the difficult choices which will be required during the upcoming contract discussions and budget cuts.

I'll have to work on the delivery prior to Thursday night's candidate forum...wish me luck!

Silent No MORE!!

The two or three of you who frequent my page know I've been somewhat silent over the past few weeks. Well, after reading today's paper, that's about to end. I'm wound up now!!

First, let's deal with this little ditty. Everyone who thinks Alticor could use a tax break, please raise your hand...anyone...anyone??

I can't believe the city "leaders" in Grand Rapids are actually contemplating granting a tax abatement to Alticor to build a stinkin' hotel for cryin' out loud. Far be it from them to tell anyone from the Van Andel/DeVos clan no when it comes to development. I'm thankful there are businessmen in the area, like Bob Sullivan, who is fed up with the corporate welfare system and is calling on the general public to show their discontent as well.

This is an absolute joke of an issue. Does Grand Rapids have an absolute need for more hotel rooms in the area? Uhhhh, no. Plenty within a 15 mile driving distance of downtown. Well within driving distance for anyone who wants to do some 'clubbin' while in town for a convention at DeVos Place.

People need to pay attention and tell their leaders this kind of corporate welfare needs to stop!

Shaking my head...

What A Day...

Beautiful day here in Holland today. Sunshine the entire day and all our yard work has been done for about a week. Still need to spread the wood chips though. Missed that opportunity as it was much too late to schedule delivery for this weekend. Oh well...That will give me something to do next weekend.

I was even able to take in a little HS baseball action today. Some really good athletes in this area, but there still seems to be a shortage of good pitchers. The guys I saw hurling today were getting shelled by every batter in the line up. Through 3 innings, I saw 1 strikeout and a lot of long outs. What's the reason for this you ask? I have no idea.