Month: June 2012

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The Truth about the Fast and Furious Scandal

As I was growing up, watching the foibles of our politicians,

Dave Voth, Fast and Furious supervisor for the ATF

Dave Voth, Fast and Furious supervisor for the ATF

I dreamed of a time when the wisest among us might take positions throughout our government, enabling our country and communities to perpetually live in "the best of times". But those who wish to bring us to these better times are repeatedly stymied by selfish small thinkers with big guns, and well-monied interests that do their best to keep most of the populous engaged in trivial arguments. One wonders whether the republic can survive.

And so it was with the Fast and Furious operation, as detailed in this exhaustive piece in Fortune Magazine entitled "The truth about the Fast and Furious scandal". Those who ran the operation attempted to do everything "by the book", so that their convictions might stick, but were tripped up by many things, including gun laws in Arizona that allow any individual to buy as many automatic weapons as they desire and resell them to whoever they want to, Arizona judges that didn't seem to think this was a worthwhile operation, and an ATF employee who took it upon himself to start gunrunning without his superior's consent (and then acting as a whistleblower for the thing he was guilty of).

To make things worse, the corrupt congressman Darrell Issa has been pursuing something that does not exist just to make political points, and causing a frenzy amongst gun-owners who really have nothing to fear.

It's all disgusting.

Where the heck are all those wise legislators I had dreamed about?

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Democrats! Vote Independent Dick Eiden for Congress on June 5th

As a life-long Democrat, I’m voting for an independent candidate in the Dick-eiden June 5th Primary; 49th Congressional District candidate, Dick Eiden.

I encourage you to vote for independent Dick Eiden too.  Here’s why:

1.  A Democrat cannot win the General election in our district, but an independent really has a chance!

Think about it: the 49th Congressional District, which stretches north and south, from San Juan Capistrano to Torrey Pines, splits around 60% Conservative and 40% Liberal. The incumbent, Darrell Issa, is well-known, and popular amongst his base. The default vote will likely be 60% for Mr. Issa.

Believe it or not, the Democratic Party has already written-off this race as unwinnable. There will be no money from the Dem Party if the Democrat wins the Primary. And, there is an important point of weakness for Darrell Issa – There is a strong anti-incumbent fervor this election cycle and the independent vote is the hot ticket right now! Formerly Untouchable candidates are losing in primaries because voters of all political persuasions have shown they want change.

In this year’s Primary, Democrats need not fear they will be splitting the vote by choosing independent candidates.  Many voters in this district want change and therefore will NOT vote for a Democrat – No way! No how! But they can and will vote for a highly qualified independent for Congress.

2.  A Democrat vs. Issa campaign from now until the General election will be old news!

Those who typically vote the Dem ticket don’t want to witness yet another Democratic “talking points” vs. Republican “lip-flapping,” boring political theatre. We Dems have woken up! It’s time to seize the moment and vote independent.

Contrast the status quo with an underdog, locally known, wild-card independent candidate running against the “invincible” Mr. Issa. Independent candidate, Dick Eiden will not be constrained by any party rules of engagement. He’s free to voice his opinion – and call Darrell Issa to task for all of his foibles. The Dick Eiden for Congress campaign is something for the history books!

3.  Dick Eiden is the best candidate and will better represent the people of the 49th District

There is no comparison between Dick Eiden and the Democratic candidate regarding which is better qualified to head to Washington DC.  As an attorney, Mr. Eiden has taken on tough legal cases, which pit him against strong adversaries. With this experience, he is ready to take on the entrenched power structure in DC. He’s experienced internationally and domestically, and he is willing and able to lead when the going gets tough. As an outsider, he has the ability to take on the corruption of power in Washington DC.

Learn more about Dick Eiden by visiting his website: http://eiden4congress.com