Each election year it is our duty to find the truth about the candidates for whom we will be casting our vote. Voting is not just a privilege, it is our responsibility. It is also our responsibility to research the candidates and understand their prior record and what they stand for; their platform. It can be a challenge to learn about new names on the ballot. We can look at the incumbents, and from their record, understand what their platform is on issues. The only way to understand where a new candidate will lead is to understand where they have been and what they stand for.    

    The Presidential race, to me, is very clear and simple. With one ticket, we receive tax increases, increased government spending, and a plan which boarders on socialism. With the other ticket, we get an economy based on capitalism, which is what has made this country great. We can debate for years about how we arrived at the economic position in which we now live. The ticket that will begin the journey of correction is the ticket that is truly concerned about the people of this country and has the character to put politics aside and row the boat in a direction of prosperity, through knowledge and vision. As with all politicians, we simply need to look past the rhetoric and look into the soul of the candidate. This is also clear. With Obama we see an empty suit. With McCain we see character.    

    While the presidential race is ultra-important, our state political leaders are also very important. I hope people are doing their homework on the local level also. At times new candidates win elections because of the public's frustrations and the idea that change is good. Change is not automatically good, if the new guy does not have the background, knowledge, and character to properly lead. In a couple weeks, you will be voting for your district state senator and representative. I have tried to research the new guys who are running against our incumbents to find that just about anyone can run for state politics. With the internet, it is simple to learn about people. Google their name and if a record exists, it is there to see. In the Senate, the new guy is Melvin Willms (D), a 69-year-old aircraft mechanic and high school graduate. He has no website, nor could I find any resemblance to a platform of what he plans to do for the people. I did find the results of an online debate. Mr. Willms answers are less than impressive, and less than articulate, in fact I found his answers downright scary. Senator Chris Harris (R) is the incumbent and we know what we get with him. I know Senator Harris, through unfortunate circumstances, and I know him to be a great American who is a knowledgeable and honest person, with the best interests of the people at heart.     

    In the race for our district state representative we have a choice of incumbent Tan Parker (R), and Jesus Carrillo (D). Mr. Carrillo does not have a website and information on him is very limited. He served on a planning and zoning commission and is also an aircraft mechanic. I could only find that he declined to respond to requests for a debate with Tan Parker. I also know Tan Parker and he is a great American who is a knowledgeable and honest person, with the best interests of the people at heart. I know from experience with our legislative process that it takes a full term in office just to figure out how the system works. Now is not the time for on the job training for state level government, nor in the presidency. Right now, our state and our country need experience and heart, not just a new guy who is not qualified.