So, yesterday Herman Cain dropped out of the GOP running. Wow, What a surprise, huh. I personally think that there was so much more to this than what was all over the news media.
I do have a significant issue with him though. If he did have those relationships and other related things go on, why could he not just be honest about it? He would have earned alot of respect that way and maybe he would still be in the race. I firmly believe that even if things are not perfect and none of us are, that honesty is the best policy. That way your past doesn't came back on you later, DUH HERMAN!!
Some of you I am sure have had the chance to read the article written about me by City Weekly. I didn't go out of my way to whitewash things of to make it look like I was some sort of lilly white perfect choice for all people. I have my faults and issues just like everyone and I have used them to become a much better person. If those issues of my past put some people off, that is their choice. I won't have that sort of cheap backdoor journalism shoot me in the foot as I try to do this thing. I want everyone to see just what they are getting from the word go.
I just had this sort of thing happening in my personal life as well. Persons trying to make a judgement about me without having all the facts. I am pretty transparent and think that honesty is certainly the best policy. I try to be a good person the best I can and I really think that there are some significant changes I can personally make as far as the accountability of the Presidential office.
There really is no clear cut choice today for leadership, but honesty is a good place to start. Washington experience is something that Newt professes to have, Mitt says he is a good fit, and John, well, I haven't decided about him yet. Ron is even more out there than I and even though I agree with some things, I still think that we need to get away from career politicians and return to the sort of leadership from within as our founding fathers imagined initially.
I have had to put things on hold while I work out of town, but at every opportunity whild I am at home I will still try to gather the signatures I need to try to be a REAL PEOPLE'S representative.
I only want an opportunity to try to help this wonderful country and to try to restore some faith in the leadership. That can only be done through honesty, integrity and putting your back into it. If you can help me on this quest I will certainly give it my best effort without the silly red hats, blue hats sort of stupidness that we have now.
Showing posts with label accountability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accountability. Show all posts
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Political roadblocks
Watching the tv coverage from the budget non-progress and I see one very pertinent thing, Probably the same thing that everyone else sees.
Politicians only are in the office to take care of themselves and their own special interest groups and perks.
I firmly believe in term limits for ALL political offices. This would foster a new crop of ideas, and independant thinking every few years.
I just noticed a poll that says that 63 percent of Americans have decided that it is time for a change in the current crop of political boneheads running things into the ground around here.
Think about this for a minute. There are some old school guys out there, that say changing representatives and senators every few years would disrupt the political process and make it harder to get things done. Well, how is that working right now with the current crop of lifetime politicians?
I think these same guys are the ones that are afraid that if we get some new ideas in there and they actually know how to think, that their cushy little side deals will go out the window and they actually might have to accomplish something.
I say it is about time to set term limits on these career guys. We need to change the thought process in Washington and if it takes throwing all the bums out, then lets do it.
If they had to have a benefits package that gave them benefits equal to years of service, and their healthcare plan that was similar to those offered by business or medicare, I can almost bet that they would step it up some when it comes to reform.
I saw an item the other day about secret political offices for senior senators. It was such a proud moment for Orrin Hatch to get the coveted office of former senior Senator Edward Kennedy.
Wow, great to have been a career politician as mister Hatch has, but, a little too much on the celebratory side all over an office space.
I know they have to have a place to reflect and study the reports and bills before them, but, a totally seperate secret office space?
Lots of corporate people do this by taking their work home, or working on it outside of the office without having to have a seperate second office paid for.
Look, this isn't all just about second offices. It is really about career politicians that are afraid that if we set term limits it might upset the apple cart. So be it, we need to really change this set of roadblocks in Washington and make them remember how and why they got there, and why we allow them to stay.
Do something or get the hell out. I for one have had enough of political party garbage.
Politicians only are in the office to take care of themselves and their own special interest groups and perks.
I firmly believe in term limits for ALL political offices. This would foster a new crop of ideas, and independant thinking every few years.
I just noticed a poll that says that 63 percent of Americans have decided that it is time for a change in the current crop of political boneheads running things into the ground around here.
Think about this for a minute. There are some old school guys out there, that say changing representatives and senators every few years would disrupt the political process and make it harder to get things done. Well, how is that working right now with the current crop of lifetime politicians?
I think these same guys are the ones that are afraid that if we get some new ideas in there and they actually know how to think, that their cushy little side deals will go out the window and they actually might have to accomplish something.
I say it is about time to set term limits on these career guys. We need to change the thought process in Washington and if it takes throwing all the bums out, then lets do it.
If they had to have a benefits package that gave them benefits equal to years of service, and their healthcare plan that was similar to those offered by business or medicare, I can almost bet that they would step it up some when it comes to reform.
I saw an item the other day about secret political offices for senior senators. It was such a proud moment for Orrin Hatch to get the coveted office of former senior Senator Edward Kennedy.
Wow, great to have been a career politician as mister Hatch has, but, a little too much on the celebratory side all over an office space.
I know they have to have a place to reflect and study the reports and bills before them, but, a totally seperate secret office space?
Lots of corporate people do this by taking their work home, or working on it outside of the office without having to have a seperate second office paid for.
Look, this isn't all just about second offices. It is really about career politicians that are afraid that if we set term limits it might upset the apple cart. So be it, we need to really change this set of roadblocks in Washington and make them remember how and why they got there, and why we allow them to stay.
Do something or get the hell out. I for one have had enough of political party garbage.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Welcome to my past
For those of you out there, I am one of many that actually have a past.
I had spoken to a writer for Salt Lake City Weekly about doing a story on my candidacy for President of the United States. Imagine the return call I received only a few minutes later, as he had run a background check on me.
I knew that the issues of my much younger, drinking past would come to light. I had no intention of trying to do what all other politicians do, hide the past to look lily white. I am not proud of my poor behaviour, but I see that time in my life as a learning experience.
I do know that there are those out there that will seek to try ot make me look like some sort of an undesirable character, or a bad guy. I see this part of my past as a learning path that I walked upon and the walked away from.
If you read the story and it changes your opinion of me that is your choice. If it changes how you look at me, that is also your choice. I only ask that you look at it and see that the Barte that you know now is not the same guy that there was then. I have really "moved on" from that sort of behaviour and really am much different for it.
My son told me that this day would come and I knew there was no way that the press would let these sort of things stay in the past. I understood his concern for my aspirations and my personal life, but, I also know that it more important to be totally honest in the light of my aspirations.
Read it, understand it, and do what I have done, "move on".
If you really know me you will allow me to keep my past where it is and see how I am now.
I am a proud American, Father, Husband, and not in the least, a former active duty US Marine, but that as they say, is another story.
I had spoken to a writer for Salt Lake City Weekly about doing a story on my candidacy for President of the United States. Imagine the return call I received only a few minutes later, as he had run a background check on me.
I knew that the issues of my much younger, drinking past would come to light. I had no intention of trying to do what all other politicians do, hide the past to look lily white. I am not proud of my poor behaviour, but I see that time in my life as a learning experience.
I do know that there are those out there that will seek to try ot make me look like some sort of an undesirable character, or a bad guy. I see this part of my past as a learning path that I walked upon and the walked away from.
If you read the story and it changes your opinion of me that is your choice. If it changes how you look at me, that is also your choice. I only ask that you look at it and see that the Barte that you know now is not the same guy that there was then. I have really "moved on" from that sort of behaviour and really am much different for it.
My son told me that this day would come and I knew there was no way that the press would let these sort of things stay in the past. I understood his concern for my aspirations and my personal life, but, I also know that it more important to be totally honest in the light of my aspirations.
Read it, understand it, and do what I have done, "move on".
If you really know me you will allow me to keep my past where it is and see how I am now.
I am a proud American, Father, Husband, and not in the least, a former active duty US Marine, but that as they say, is another story.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I have a past, imagine that......
I almost forgot to tell all of you. I have a past, imagine that.
I had an interview yesterday with a writer from Salt Lake City Weekly. It didn't take him long to find out that I have a past that had some issues.
I used to drink, (there are so many of you that do not know this). My behaviour at the time (almost 22 years ago) that I used to behave badly.
I had run-in's with the court and had to pay some fines and spent some time in a courtroom.
I am not sure how he is going to approach this issue (as it shouldn't be an issue because of how long ago) but I thought it best I tell you all up front.
I would believe that my behaviour as a young man and an alcoholic will not change the way you all look at me now. I have been sober for nearly 22 years and that behaviour was something that I knew would come up eventually.
Many of you have no idea as to my past as you see me for how I am now. I do not forget for a minute how I used to be, but, as most of you know, I am quite different now as you can see.
There are those that will try to use my past against me and if there are those that can not look past the way I used to act and the way I conduct myself now, I will not hold it against you. I merely ask you to see what I do, see how I conduct myself and how I act toward my friends and family without the prejudices of my past.
It certainly is quite a different way of thinking when you see that I am not like all other politicians (I certainly am not a politician). They want to hide the past and try to portray themselves as angels who never had any sort of past issues. Look at the Clinton era, where he never inhaled.......ha, ha.....
I never said I was an angel, I never deny my past. I say that my past makes me human and I have learned much from my mistakes. Just ask my family.
Realize this truth, I am a human being that has used my life experiences to sculpt the person you see on a daily basis. I am not perfect, nor did I ever say I was.
Experience is necessary for the growth of all people. Life teaches you much everyday. It is what you do after you make those choices that define how you live the rest of your life.
I had an interview yesterday with a writer from Salt Lake City Weekly. It didn't take him long to find out that I have a past that had some issues.
I used to drink, (there are so many of you that do not know this). My behaviour at the time (almost 22 years ago) that I used to behave badly.
I had run-in's with the court and had to pay some fines and spent some time in a courtroom.
I am not sure how he is going to approach this issue (as it shouldn't be an issue because of how long ago) but I thought it best I tell you all up front.
I would believe that my behaviour as a young man and an alcoholic will not change the way you all look at me now. I have been sober for nearly 22 years and that behaviour was something that I knew would come up eventually.
Many of you have no idea as to my past as you see me for how I am now. I do not forget for a minute how I used to be, but, as most of you know, I am quite different now as you can see.
There are those that will try to use my past against me and if there are those that can not look past the way I used to act and the way I conduct myself now, I will not hold it against you. I merely ask you to see what I do, see how I conduct myself and how I act toward my friends and family without the prejudices of my past.
It certainly is quite a different way of thinking when you see that I am not like all other politicians (I certainly am not a politician). They want to hide the past and try to portray themselves as angels who never had any sort of past issues. Look at the Clinton era, where he never inhaled.......ha, ha.....
I never said I was an angel, I never deny my past. I say that my past makes me human and I have learned much from my mistakes. Just ask my family.
Realize this truth, I am a human being that has used my life experiences to sculpt the person you see on a daily basis. I am not perfect, nor did I ever say I was.
Experience is necessary for the growth of all people. Life teaches you much everyday. It is what you do after you make those choices that define how you live the rest of your life.
It's just funny
It seems to me that it is just funny how sometimes the dregs suddenly come out of the woodwork. I understand that, while I may have an antiquated sense of values, I guess i just miss the boat when it comes to joining modern society.
I see how politicians act while in office and am appalled as to their conduct. Not all of them mind you, just a few.
We all need to remind them that they are there to take care of all of us and our collective needs, not just their own special interests or line their pockets. While I appreciate the need to make money, I feel that they have a bigger job to do and with partisan politics, they are failing miserably.
I pursue this goal for election to remind them of that and to provide a neutral voice to encourage them to do so.
The time of party politics is coming to an end hopefully. It is time for the public to stand up and demand for them to do the job we have all selected them to do on our behalf.
I see how politicians act while in office and am appalled as to their conduct. Not all of them mind you, just a few.
We all need to remind them that they are there to take care of all of us and our collective needs, not just their own special interests or line their pockets. While I appreciate the need to make money, I feel that they have a bigger job to do and with partisan politics, they are failing miserably.
I pursue this goal for election to remind them of that and to provide a neutral voice to encourage them to do so.
The time of party politics is coming to an end hopefully. It is time for the public to stand up and demand for them to do the job we have all selected them to do on our behalf.
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