Vote for America

The 2012 election may well be the most important in our nation's history. Voting for America means focusing on the key issues that are threatening our future. There are many citizens who do not vote, they need to realize how critical their voice is in this election, there are others who are "locked in" to the personality and charisma of the president and refuse to see the direction the country is heading; and there are others who have taken extreme positions on both sides of the issues. Our nation is more polarized than ever, but there are millions of people who are in the middle, and they are the ones that will determine the outcome in 2012. We must focus on three areas that threaten America's future, and view them not as partisan issues, but as key decisions for voters.
1. The danger to America's economy that must be addressed is spending and adding to the debt. The government seems incapable of making the hard decisions needed, the senate is dysfunctional and has failed in addressing fiscal needs. A balanced budget and a new tax code are what citizens should demand, jobs will follow.
2. Veterans understand what has happened in the past when we have disarmed and cut our defense budget only to see threats arise and the need for a military increase to be recognized. In today's threat environment, America does not have time to repeat that cycle, we must stay strong, the current cuts planned are dangerous and reckless.
3. The President has now decided his energy policy will be "all the above", and his campaign has outlined the policy, but without specifics. We have not increased drilling, we have not built new nuclear plants, we have stymied the pipeline that would bring Canadian oil, and we have wasted billions of dollars on failed "green energy" initiatives - the record of this administration is clear and has failed.
If the millions of voters who identify as themselves as independent, and love their country, will vote for America by electing candidates who will address the these issues in a bold way and make decisions that will change direction and restore our nation to what the founders envisioned.

Ahmadinejad, Saddam, and Ghaddafi

All this news about how hard it will be to hit Iran's nuclear installations to deal with the threat fails to take a look at recent history. When we were concerned about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, we targeted the "leadership" (Saddam); the same was true with Ghaddafi, we attempted to get him twice instead of bombing the desert in the hope of finding weapons. Why is this not an option when we have identified Iran as a nation of terror; the same as was done with Iraq and Libya. It addition, Iran is killing US troops and is the enemy of our friends. If the decision is made to attack Iran by the US or Israel, it should follow the precedent of Iraq and Libya, and opt for the easier targets of Iran's leadership. The easiest road to defeating Iran is to "cut the head off the snake".

Veterans Speak

In Clovis, New Mexico, there is a large sign on the highway that speaks to the critical issues facing our country. At the bottom of the sign it says: "paid for by a Vietnam Vet still fighting for his country". Millions of veterans can see the dangers from within and from outside, this vet speaks his mind to the thousands of passing vehicles.
"SO NOW WE KNOW CHANGE EQUALS"
MORE DEBT
MORE TAXES
MORE REGULATIONS
MORE GOVERNMENT
MORE WASTFUL SPENDING
MORE CORRUPTION

Thanks to this vet for doing what he can!

Focus on Priorities

For all voters, and especially veterans, we need to focus on the priority needs of America in the coming election. There is a lot of smoke out there making it difficult to see clear solutions presented by candidates. I would offer the following three priorities for 2012 that must happen to recover America. (1) US GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP SPENDING - balanced budget, new tax code, reduce government size. (2) RETURN POWER TO THE CITIZENS - State and local governments, schools, public services need to be removed from the federal government. (3) THE WAR ON TERROR IS NOT OVER - A new strategy is needed, re-examine every country and area we have troops, focus on the enemy, and provide more not less resources to our military. Veterans can look at candidates and measure their rhetoric by the three areas mentioned. Voters who know the threat can help recover our great nation.

Time to Step Up

Since the election of 2000 we have seen our country divided more each year. We are seeing frustration mount among all Americans, rich and poor, all races and liberals and conservatives. We saw the Tea Party speak up for fiscal restraint and smaller government, we have people occupying our cities as protest against the financial community, and middle class citizens and businesses frustrated at the lack of action to help grow our economy and create jobs. As we look to 2012, we have an electorate that is unhappy, and for good reason. The recent failure of eight elected officials to accomplish their mission as the super committee should and will result in many incumbents losing their jobs in November. We cannot tolerate business as usual in congress, any longer. We have a President who is not leading, and the country is sinking into an economic abyss. We need a leader who will unite us on a path to recovery, and includes all Americans stepping up to solve our problems by being willing to sacrifice and compromise for the best interests of our country. All veterans have their opinions and disagreements along political lines, but always put the country first in serving and carrying out the mission. We all must do what we can in 2012 to rescue the America we love and served.

PREPARING FOR 2012

What is America's condition in your mind? Citizens are becoming divided on most issues, the economy, the war on terror, and losing faith in our institutions and government. We have a sense of increasing uneasiness evidenced by demonstrations and a loss of civility and manners in the public forum. The conditions in our country are cause for concern as we realize we must change direction in 2012. Every citizen, and especially veterans, must become active agents for change; back to the basic tenants that made America great; follow the rule of law based on our constitution, return to our traditional values, work for a smaller government with more responsibility returned to the people, balance the federal budget, and win the war on terror with a robust and strong military. As veterans we can influence those around us to defend these basic American values by electing a new government team in 2012.

Help America

America is in trouble on numerous fronts. Many citizens, especially veterans, who understand love of country, and desire to serve, understand the threats from within and outside. We must be engaged in the political process in America from now until the 2012 election to make sure that we elect patriots who understand our founder's purpose, and recognize our enemies. Radical Islam remains our enemy, the war on terror is not over, we must not disarm and appease our enemies, this is the number one threat. Economics is simply understood by most citizens,spend what you make, have a budget, borrow only for large items, and then keep debt managed. America, under the current leaders, is not following this simple rule. Citizens must pay attention to the basics and focus on what is best for our country and make the right 2012 decision. All Americans need to be concerned, but most of all engaged to make a difference in the 2012 elections. The people still are in charge of this great nation, we must not give up that right.