As I think about this long summer, I'm looking forward to/dreading all of the parades and fairs going on around the state. There are going to be tons of events, and the grassroots of our party are going to be out there, so look for them. At almost every parade, there will be GOP candidates walking with supporters. It's a great thing to be a part of if you can find the time. 

It may seem like a lame thing to do, but go to Costco, buy 20 giant bags of candy, and then watch the faces of the kids light up and then tell me how lame it is. My friends and I joke around that during parades you really see "America," and it is kind of true. You get to see the excitement of the kids when the Seafair Pirates drive by, some all proud to wear their cub scout uniforms, or their drill team's outfit and you get to appreciate all the activities that we get to do in our free time. Other countries around the world are not this lucky and sometimes it takes something like watching kids at a fair to remember that. 

Here is a video from the 4th of July: 

 I was recently asked this question and was expected to write a response. It's a tough question, and I really have tried to put myself in the shoes of the average militant to try and see things from their point of view. It gave me a few ideas.

It seems to me that when someone is oppressed, or more importantly, when someone percieves that they are oppressed, then they act out. Whether it's a child who throws a tantrum to spite what they percieve as an overbearing parent, or a terrorist who bombs citizens of a county that they percieve as an overbearing country, where there is percieved oppression, there will be a counter act of protest or violence.

I would say this is why Palestinians fight with Israelis, why Al Qaeda in Iraq attacks coalition forces, and why teenagers get tatoos.

The next question that follows, considering that we are combating global terrorism, is how to we stop the perception of oppression by terrorist groups that are attacking us and our allies. This becomes increasingly more difficult as we need to balance our national security, and our ablity to protect the interests of our friends and allies around the world.

 Some would suggest that we could withdrawl from bases around the world, and solve this problem that way. The concern would then become how do we stay competitive economically, politically, and militarily in a very competive world where natural resources are hard to come by, and every country has the responsibility to protect the livelyhood of its citizens.

It's not a question easily answered, although it may be one of the most important ones that we need to find a solution for.  

Feel free to discuss in the comments part of this blog.

John McCain released a statement today that shows the support that his economic plan has. Over 300 professional economists signed a statement that lauded his plan, including private and public sector economists, and Nobel Prize winners.

 McCain's plan:

• Veto every bill with earmarks
• Keep taxes low
• Phase out the alternative minimum tax
• Permit first year expensing of new equiptment and technology

This plan focuses on doing the smart thing when it comes to business. The easy thing to do when times get hard with the budget is to raise taxes. The problem is the unintended consequences that follow. We can raise taxes to pay for things, in an effort to gain more revenue for the state, but when people stop spending as much money, then the revenue goes down. Sometimes when taxes are raised, people don't consume as much, and then the amount of money that actually comes in is LOWER than it was before the tax increase, compounding the problem.

John McCain understands this, and that's why we need for him to get elected. Barack Obama said that he wants taxes to be "fair" so that people are taxed at the same rate, but the problem is that if rates are adjusted without understanding the unintended consequences, then we will get less tax revenue and be worse off.

Let's use some common sense here, and make good decisions based on solid information when it comes to the budget, our economy, and our future.

The Washington State Democrats made cable news with their video of Dino Rossi put to the theme song of the sopranos. How come things aren't called racist when liberals cross the line?

Also, Brit Hume may need a nap, man he had trouble reading the teleprompter....

The Wall Street Journal says "Sen. Barack Obama shed new light on his economic plans for the country, saying he would rely on a heavy dose of government spending to spur growth, use the tax code to narrow the widening gap between winners and losers in the U.S. economy, and possibly back a reduction in corporate tax rates" (6/17/08).

The problem for Obama, is that he is having to switch positions because his previous opinions were wrong on the tax issue. He is probably trying to avoid becoming Jimmy Carter's second term. (although if we get another Carter, does that mean in 4 years we would get another Reagan?)

Remember from a couple months ago when Clinton and Obama were debating about the capital gains tax? Obama showed his lack of judgement and inexperience, even when confronted with the facts by the moderator Gibson.

Now Obama needs to think really hard for his next step. He faces the problem where he is wrong on the issue: TAXES. Now he can either change his position, and be labeled a flip-flopper, or he can stick to his guns and ride his failed ideas into the dirt.

Now if he continues to change his position on the issues, and follow McCain's lead, like he hints at now with the issue of taxation, then we need to ask ourselves if we want the guy who recently got it right, or the guy who knew better all along. It's true what people say, that "it's better late than never," but also consider that ignorance in our leaders is NOT bliss. If you want prosperity, then take a good look at limited government and personal responsibility.

Obama has decided to make political decisions about Iraq that will help him in the polls rather than to take an objective look at the facts on the ground and the opinions of the generals and of the ambassador before coming to a conclusion. He has already decided the future of Iraq if he becomes president. He says that he will pull out a brigade or two a month until they are all gone. 

Imagine this in any other context. If you were a head coach in the NFL, and you were going to play in the Superbowl, would you plan out all of your plays for the big game a year in advance? Regardless of who your opponent will be? Would you go against the advice of the assistant coaches? Would you even hear what they have to say? And would you ride your premature game-plan all the way to a fiery crash and burn defeat? Obama would.

Clearly, a responsible and experienced leader would not take such a biased and poll driven approach to the Iraq situation. Take a look at this video of Obama, before he sold his soul to the polls in is Presidential bid, and before MoveOn.org, Harry Reid and Keith Olbermann got to him.

MoveRed.org was launched last summer as a group that would put on events, rallies, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities for the GOP. The response has been great. We have established ourselves in King County as a quality organization that gives young conservatives an alternative to the Democratic party. We have a media team that has been producing quality videos, we have added more bloggers, and we are gearing up for a big Get out the Vote effort for this election.

Below is a highlight video of what we have accomplished, and we look forward to making a difference our state this year.