February 14, 2008
My Reply to "It is Time for Dr. Scales to Go"
I sent this response yesterday to an article on the chattanoogan.com web site by Tim Price about the Hamilton County school superintendent. A couple of other responses have appeared since I sent mine in, and the article link has rotated off the front page, so I doubt the following will make it on that site ... but maybe a few folks might be interested in reading what I had to say:
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Ms. Crowder's assertion that HCDE is underfunded is a joke. HCDE's budget has been steadily increasing for years, at considerably greater than the rate of inflation, with stagnant (or even declining in some years) enrollment. It currently stands at over $320 million for just over 40,000 students, making it one of the better-funded districts in the state.
Perhaps Dr. Scales wouldn't be facing that $10 million "shortfall" if our elected "leaders" didn't spend tens of millions of dollars building unnecessary schools (like Ms. Crowder's pet project on Signal Mountain) and then millions more every year staffing them.
(As an aside -- why new administrators, faculty, and staff have to be hired for newly constructed schools when overall system enrollment has not increased significantly in years is a mystery to me. It seems that the intelligent thing to do would be to just transfer personnel from other schools whose enrollment decreases when the new schools open.)
I note with chagrin Ms. Crowder's attempt to "shoot the messenger." Apparently she believes that if you don't have solid evidence to refute someone's point, the best tactic is to just smear him as a racist and hope that undermines his credibility with the audience. Nice try, but I think most of the chattanoogan.com's readers are smart enough to see through that (lack of an) argument.
Mr. Price, you are right in saying that Dr. Scales needs to be replaced. But there is no point in trying to effect that change now. As you point out, if Dr. Scales leaves, the same school board will use the same type of "blue ribbon" committee to choose yet another "yes man" in the mold of Drs. Register and Scales. Nothing will change except the name on the door of the superintendent's office (and an even bigger paycheck going into the next anointed one's pocket).
The only way to fix the problem is to replace several of the current school board members with new folks who have some sense and don't owe their allegiance to the "good ole boys" in the local power structure. Rhonda Thurman is doing the best she can to right the ship, but she is only one of nine and she can't do it all by herself. Enough school board seats are up for election this year that positive changes could happen ... but the time to start preparing for the election is now!
Posted by joedumas at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2008
Ron Paul's Son Addresses Chattanooga Rally
Rand Paul, an eye surgeon from Bowling Green, Kentucky and the son of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, addressed a gathering of local residents Saturday morning. The rally was held at 1601 Rossville Avenue on Chattanooga's Southside and drew a crowd of over 100 people who braved the morning chill to express their support or find out more about Ron Paul.
The younger Dr. Paul spoke for about an hour, discussing various aspects of his father's platform and answering questions from the audience. One of his main points was the devaluation of the U.S. dollar due to massive deficit spending both at home and abroad. Rand Paul made the point that the national debt has increased by more than $3 trillion during just the seven years that George W. Bush has been in the White House.
"We borrow the money for our excessive spending from China and Japan, and when we can't borrow enough, we print the rest" said Dr. Paul. "Actually we don't even have to print it anymore; the Federal Reserve just creates it with a computer entry. When they do, the value of the dollars you already have goes down."
Rand Paul went on to illustrate this point by quoting his father's argument from the recent Republican debate. "Over the last ten years, the price of oil in dollars has gone up by 386%. In Euros, it has gone up by 200%. But in terms of gold, the price of oil is the same as it was." He said similar statements could be made about necessities such as bread and milk. "It's not that it has gotten more difficult to produce these things - it is that inflation, which is caused by our federal government's deficit spending, has made the dollar worth less and so it takes more dollars to buy the things you need."
Rand Paul said that no matter what the outcome of his father's campaign, the important thing is to keep the movement for freedom going forward. He encouraged local Ron Paul supporters to stay organized after the election and run candidates for Congress as well as state and local offices. "No matter what happens, Tuesday is not the end of the Revolution. It is only the beginning" of the grass-roots movement spearheaded by the senior Dr. Paul to take our country back and restore limited, Constitutional government.
From Chattanooga, Rand Paul traveled to Atlanta in order to address another rally this afternoon. Both Tennessee and Georgia, along with 20 other states, have primaries on "Super Tuesday", February 5.
Posted by joedumas at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2008
Reasons to Support Ron Paul
I would like to encourage everyone who reads this column to consider supporting Congressman Ron Paul in the upcoming Presidential primary. While the mainstream media have done their best to ignore him, Ron Paul raised almost $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 – more than any other Republican candidate.
Why is Ron Paul worthy of your vote? Here are a few highlights of his experience during ten terms in Congress. Ron Paul:
Never voted for corporate welfare, a tax increase, an unbalanced budget, or to raise congressional pay. He even declines to participate in the lucrative congressional pension plan.
Supports the First Amendment, the Second Amendment ... in fact the entire Bill of Rights (especially the Tenth Amendment), personal freedom and privacy, a free and unregulated Internet, and a return to sound monetary policies that will bolster our sagging economy and strengthen the dollar.
Opposes intrusive government regulations, domestic spying, the (horribly misnamed) PATRIOT Act, and any form of a national ID card.
Voted against the Iraq War, opposes a pre-emptive attack on Iran, and will end the U.S. role as world policeman and bring our troops home.
Unlike many of the other candidates who are lawyers, Dr. Ron Paul is an obstetrician who has delivered over 4,000 babies. He is pro-life and pro-family; Ron has been married to the same woman for over 50 years and they have 5 children and 18 grandchildren.
Ron Paul's reputation for honesty and integrity is unmatched in American politics. Even one of his current opponents, Senator John McCain, once told a Ron Paul staffer: "You're working for the most honest man in Congress."
The primary election is February 5 – less than a month away. Early voting runs from January 16-31. Find out more about Ron Paul now at RonPaul2008.com and you will see why the "Champion of the Constitution" deserves your vote.
Posted by joedumas at 10:34 PM | Comments (3)
December 17, 2007
A New World Record
And I'm not talking about the 1976 ELO album.
Ron Paul just raised $6.43 million in campaign donations in one day (12/16/07).
Total as of midnight: $17.98 million
Last night same time: $11.55 million
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Raised in 24 hours: $6.43 million
Americans are clearly ready to re-legalize the Constitution!
Posted by joedumas at 12:20 AM | Comments (4)
December 16, 2007
Quarterly Goal Reached!
With 15 days, 22 hours and 47 minutes to go, Ron Paul has exceeded his fundraising goal for the 4th quarter of 2007 -- $12 million -- and counting!
Today is going to be huge ... a historical event is in progress ... stay tuned!
Posted by joedumas at 01:17 AM | Comments (0)
How Far Can Ron Go?
Here it is ... Ron Paul Tea Party Day!
On this, the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Ron Paul's supporters will attempt to make history -- hopefully surpassing the $4.3 million raised on November 5th, 2007.
Just before midnight on December 15, Ron Paul's quarterly donation total stood at $11.551 million ... already within striking range of his campaign's ambitious $12 million goal. I say ambitious because Ron Paul wowed the media by raising $5 million in the third quarter. That mark has already been shattered by more than double.
How high can the Ron Paul supporters push the numbers today? $15 million? $16 million? $17 million? More?
Tune in just under 24 hours from now to find out.
Posted by joedumas at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2007
Why Republicans Should Love Ron Paul
Some thoughts from a message I just sent to a Republican who isn't a Ron Paul supporter:
I started out life as a Republican. I voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and would have voted for Ford over Carter in 1976 had I been old enough to vote. Shoot, I would have voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964, but I was only 3 at the time. :)
I grew disillusioned with the GOP during the 1980s as the "Reagan Revolution" failed to fulfill its promises. Instead of slashing government, Republicans made it bigger and more intrusive. The 1994 "Contract with America"? They should have called it the "Contract on America". To say that it was a dismal failure is the understatement of the century. In brief -- I didn't leave the Republican Party -- it left me -- and for many years I supported the Libertarian Party as the best alternative.
Now I am back, a Republican once more. A proud Ron Paul Republican, to be more specific. He has given me the hope that Barry Goldwater's party of limited, constitutional government may not be dead yet. And not only has Ron Paul brought people my age (46) back into the fold, but he has energized a whole new generation. When I attend Ron Paul Meetups I am usually one of the oldest people in the room. The average age of the supporters I know is probably mid-to-late 20s. Contrast that with the typical demographics of the local Pachyderm Club meetings at which I am usually one of the youngest people in attendance.
Consider the fact that if the GOP does not recruit and retain the next generation of voters, it is doomed to irrelevancy and eventual extinction. Consider that it is Ron Paul whose message is resonating with the younger voters. And it's not just his anti-war message ... I have heard more young people questioning the Federal Reserve and government giveaway programs than I ever thought possible.
Whether or not Ron Paul gains the GOP nomination in 2008, and whether or not he pursues an independent or third-party candidacy if he does not, ... Republicans alienate the legions of Ron Paul supporters at their peril. They are a powerful, grass-roots movement that, if welcomed, promises the Republican Party new energy and a new start in the new millennium. I invite all Republicans who don't yet support Ron Paul to consider this before you write us, or our candidate, off.
Posted by joedumas at 08:53 PM | Comments (2)
December 01, 2007
Why You Should Support Ron Paul
I did an interview on AntiWar.com Radio almost two months ago about Ron Paul and the Republican nominaton, and I noticed today that they had the podcast up on the Scott Horton Show web site. The interview is about 40 minutes long. It's well worth the listen if you have the time, IMHO :)
http://www.scotthortonshow.com/2007/10/04/antiwar-radio-joe-dumas/
Posted by joedumas at 10:18 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2007
Thoughts on the CNN/YouTube Debate Last Night
First of all, could it have been any more obvious that CNN was trying to favor the "media darling" candidates? Rudy and Mitt got at least 3X the questions that Ron Paul got, and Fred and McCain at least 2X. Time after time I found myself screaming at the TV, "Let Ron Paul answer THAT one!" Most of the time it was to no avail....
My thoughts about the candidates, for what they're worth....
Mitt Romney is the slickest media darling candidate by a long shot. Hair just so, suit just so, sound bites coming out of both sides of his mouth at a time. I can see why the media just love him, but his slickness masks an utter lack of conviction on anything. He will say anything and do anything to win. Unfortunately for him, even if he wins the nomination he will not be able to beat Hillary.
Rudy Giuliani is just freakin' scary. The guy is a fascist who wants to take away all our guns and isn't even subtle about it. He was the most hated mayor in NYC history on 9/10/2001 and nothing has changed except now he can play the 9/11 card. Sorry, it isn't going to work. Hillary will beat him if it comes to that, and she might even do it with my vote. I can't imagine voting for Hillary but I can even less imagine voting for Benito Giuliani. Might as well just go ahead and vote for Satan.
Fred Thompson is just plain lame. He couldn't debate his way out of a paper bag. To me he is less objectionable than Rudy or maybe even Romney but he is just a sad sack on the stage. It's like he doesn't even want the nomination. My theory here is that he doesn't want to go down in history as the first presidential candidate to lose to a woman, which he most certainly would do, because Hillary would eat his lunch in a debate. I can't stand her but she would absolutely clean his clock.
I have a little bit of grudging respect for McCain because he came out strongly against torture. However, he blew that by coming out foursquare in favor of the war in Iraq. Sorry, dude, 70% plus of the country has figured this out by now and you are on the wrong side. And Ron Paul just nuked you out of the water by correctly pointing out that he gets more contributions from active duty military personnel than you or anyone else. Better start kissing up to Ron instead of confronting him, and hope he suffers a momentary lapse of sanity and picks you for VP.
Huckabee has a pretty decent sense of humor. He made me laugh a couple of times, especially with the crack about Jesus being too smart to run for office. However that is not enough to mask the fact that fiscally he is a big tax-and-spend liberal. I wish he and the Clintons would go back to Arkansas and leave us all the hell alone. Well, that will happen soon enough, on Super Tuesday if not before....
OK, so Hunter built a fence between San Diego and Tijuana. Apparently, with his own two hands. Big deal; now what exactly qualifies him to be President? At this point he is just a vanity candidate, maybe hoping for VP consideration?
Speaking of the ultimate in one issue/vanity candidates, now that everyone else is trying to "out-Tancredo Tancredo" ... why is he still running? Unlike Huckabee or Hunter, he's not even a legitimate VP contender. Enough already ... bow out and throw your support to the only candidate who has a fighting chance against Hillary ... Ron Paul, of course.
It was awesome watching Ron Paul go toe to toe with McCain on the undeclared war in Iraq. Ron didn't back down from him an inch, and made some really telling points for those who were willing to actually listen with an open mind. No telling what Ron Paul could accomplish in these debates if they would actually ask him as many questions as the so-called "front-runners" and even then let him get an answer in edgewise instead of calling "time" fifteen seconds into a thirty-second answer. Not to mention deliberately choosing "loaded" questions in an attempt to make him look bad or go on the defensive. He fended those off eloquently, by the way, but he still got only a small fraction of the total air time.
Conclusion: the Republicans are utterly doomed in 2008 if they don't have the good sense to nominate Ron Paul. None of the rest of them match up favorably against Hillary Clinton who will be the Democratic nominee. (Or, in case of a miracle, against Obama, either.) Ron Paul, due to his unique appeal to everyone from hippie anti-war activists to Jeffersonian libertarians to Barry Goldwater conservatives, is the only GOP candidate who can bring together the coalition required to win. One can only hope the Republican primary voters realize this before it is too late and we get stuck with another President Clinton.
Posted by joedumas at 10:38 PM | Comments (5)
November 21, 2007
Keep the Hullander Family in your Hearts
After a long Wednesday before Thanksgiving on the road, my lovely bride and I just settled in to our hotel room and found a Wi-Fi connection to check e-mail and the web. As is my habit I checked the chattanoogan.com and was shocked to see this story with the sad news that the daughter and son-in-law of County Commissioner Bill Hullander were involved in a terrible car crash while on a mission trip in Mexico. The Commissioner's daughter Mandy was seriously injured and, tragically, her husband Chris was killed in the wreck.
I am not a personal friend of Mr. Hullander - I have only spoken to him on a couple of occasions - but as a citizen and political activist I do respect his long and honorable service to Hamilton County. I hope all my readers will keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving weekend.
And for all of us who are traveling this holiday weekend: Stay safe out there, folks.
Posted by joedumas at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2007
Great Ron Paul Video - And Another Article
There is a new Ron Paul video available on YouTube that I just saw yesterday. If you are a Ron Paul supporter, or even more to the point, if you are thinking about supporting Ron Paul but aren't yet sure he is your man, check it out!
Mahatma Gandhi once said of his freedom movement in India, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Predictably, Ron Paul's campaign has made it through stages one and two and has now arrived at stage three (on its way to stage four). Now that his campaign has made history by raising $4.3 million in one day, the media can no longer ignore Ron Paul ... so now the attacks have begun. For a detailed look at why the smear campaign is happening and why it will fail, check out Justin Raimondo's article at AntiWar.com.
Posted by joedumas at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2007
Ron Paul Op/Eds
There are a lot of good op/ed pieces on Ron Paul from all around the country. Here is one that someone sent me today. The author (appropriately) compares Ron Paul to Barry Goldwater and suggests that Dr. Paul learn from Goldwater's experience.
"The pundits are at a loss to explain what is happening, but it really doesn't seem that complicated. Ron Paul, like Goldwater, is advocating liberty in all its forms. And — surprise! — Americans like liberty. They like being free to do as they like, think what they like, and believe what they like without government interference.
"But now, if history is any lesson, Ron Paul needs to be careful. For much of the run-up to the 1964 election, Goldwater was overlooked. Most people assumed he didn't have a chance. But as his campaign picked up steam, the modern Republicans and the liberal-leaning media got scared. They started to attack him in whatever way they could — comparing him to Hitler, lying about supposed ties to extreme right groups in Germany, implying he would start a nuclear conflagration. They did anything and everything to keep him out of the White House....
"The Old Right libertarian message is making a comeback. Let's hope it has more success than in 1964."
By the way, here is the most recent Ron Paul-related article on the chattanoogan.com web site.
Posted by joedumas at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
At Last - Fiscal Responsibility in Signal Mountain
In case anyone missed Monday night's meeting (it was a packed house) or the write-up in the Chattanoogan.com, the Signal Mountain Town Council (all-new members since last year's election/recall) finally stood up to the plate and exercised some fiscal discipline, voting down a request to allocate an additional $317,000 of town taxpayer funds to the new middle/high school under construction, and instead applying that money to our large, outstanding (3 years ago the town, very unwisely, made a $7.7 million commitment to the school) bonded indebtedness.
Predictably, the "tax us more for the children" crowd are crying in their beer - including some folks who aren't even from Signal Mountain. Give me a break! We have already given $7.7 million more Town tax money than we should have to build a county school. When is enough enough? When does the well run dry? Thankfully, three of our five council members said, now. No more!
Three cheers on behalf of the taxpayers for Bill Lusk, Susan Robertson, and Vice Mayor Hershel Dick!
Posted by joedumas at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2007
A $4.3 Million Day for Ron Paul
The final numbers from the Fifth of November are in. As of midnight, Ron Paul's quarterly donation total was over $7.1 million. This includes over $4.3 million in the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight, Eastern time.
Money talks, and you-know-what walks. Let's see if the mainstream media can find a way to ignore this! (Some of them have picked up on it already.) Ron Paul just set the GOP single-day fundraising mark for the 2008 campaign (formerly held by Romney at $3.1M), plus what I believe is the all-time record for online donations in a day.
The Ron Paul Revolution is in full swing ... join it now!
Posted by joedumas at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2007
Ron Paul's Huge Fundraising Day
The "money bomb" has hit in a big way for the Ron Paul campaign!
Ron Paul supporters are flooding his coffers in a one-day blitz to show the world that they, and his campaign, are for real.
As of last night, Ron Paul's quarterly contribution total was somewhere around $2.7 million. Right now (4:30 Eastern) it is up to over $5.5 million and climbing! (That means he has more than doubled his quarterly total in less than a day.) By midnight tonight Ron will likely have eclipsed all records for single-day fundraising for any political campaign.
Take that, establishment candidates!
Posted by joedumas at 04:33 PM | Comments (1)
November 03, 2007
An Open Letter to the Signal Mountain Town Council
[Update 11/06/2007: the letter below has been published on the chattanoogan.com.]
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I regret I was unable to attend the special meeting on October 25th at which plans for the new school were discussed. Had I any idea that the subject of providing additional town funds would come up, I would have done anything possible to be there to oppose it.
The Town has previously committed $7.7 million to the construction of the school. In my view, that is already $7.7 million too much -- it is a county school and, like every other county school, it should have been funded 100% by the county. To compound this mistake by giving the Hamilton County Department of Education an additional $317,000 would be an inexcusable diversion of Town taxpayer money away from important needs such as paving roads, building and repairing sidewalks, maintaining facilities and so on.
I know that the local option sales tax money, the source of the $317,000, is earmarked toward the school. With that in mind, it is obvious that the correct and proper use of this money is to help pay down the remaining bond debt that was incurred to raise the $7.7 million already committed. This will reduce the amount that property taxes paid into the Town's general fund must subsidize the bonded indebtedness.
If you as our representatives wish to put the $317,000 in sales tax money toward a specific project or program at the new school, this would be appropriate only if and when a formal memorandum of understanding is signed with the HCDE stating that the money put to that purpose counts as part of the $7.7 million being provided by the Town for the school, and not in addition to it.
Continue reading "An Open Letter to the Signal Mountain Town Council"
Posted by joedumas at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
October 31, 2007
Ron Paul on Jay Leno Last Night
Ron Paul did a great job on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night. The audience loved him, especially when he talked about getting rid of the IRS and getting our troops out of the Middle East. If you missed it or just want to see it again, you can watch the video here (9 minutes 30 seconds).
P.S. I just read this great article about Ron Paul. Check it out!
Posted by joedumas at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
What's Scary? Metro Government!
I got my comments on "metro" government published on the Chattanoogan.com today. They are the sixth, and currently last, entry on this page. Looks like the editor pretty much left them intact except for "calming" my parting shot of "hell no" to "heck no." Heck, I didn't think hell was considered a naughty word any more....
My comments:
Metro government sounds like a great idea - if you live in Chattanooga and want the folks living in the smaller cities to help bail you out of paying the bills for football stadiums, hotels that compete with private enterprise, and ridiculous car-destroying brick intersections downtown, among other boondoggles.
I agree with Melissa Cantrell and Racie Miller, though - metro government is a horrible idea if you live in one of the county's smaller municipalities like Signal Mountain that would be swallowed up and "Chattanoogized" with no effective voice to speak for you. We have enough of a problem at the county level with poor representation by our commissioner and school board member - but at least our town council members listen to us, or can be recalled if they don't.
Honestly - if metro government were enacted, does anyone really believe there would be economies of scale or savings from elimination of redundant services? If so, I have some prime land in south Florida to sell.
What would really happen is that taxes in communities outside the current borders of Chattanooga would increase to (at least) match Chattanooga's combined city and county tax rates, while the sense of community in Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Walden, Red Bank, and other small towns in Hamilton County would evaporate.
Metro government? Not no, but hell no, so long as I have breath to oppose it.
Joe Dumas
Signal Mountain
Posted by joedumas at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2007
Really Wishing I Had Won Last Year ...
... because it would have kept Richard Casavant from another, richly undeserved, term of office.
Here's how I put it in my letter to the Chattanoogan.com (scroll down; as quickly as I fired it off last night, I was third in line):
Is it any wonder that District 2 Commissioner Richard Casavant has no problem with bulldozing a portion of Prentice Cooper State Forest to build a second road to the high school he helped tax mountain residents twice to build for his developer friends?
He and his crony Chip Baker had no problem with the original "bait and switch" where one site for the new school (directly on Shackleford Ridge Road with no traffic problems) was "sold" to the citizens only to be swapped (in December, when everyone was focused on the holidays rather than politics) for another site that their buddies preferred.
Never mind that the new site was smack-dab in the middle of miles of hiking trails built by Sam Powell and countless volunteers including Eagle Scouts. "Our" representative in county government says "bring on the bulldozers to level the park to build the school, and bring 'em on again to wipe out the state forest to build another road to it!"
How ironic that the existing road to the scene of the destruction is named "Sam Powell Trail." More to the point, what an insult to, and what a heartbreak for, the dedicated Mr. Powell to see his beloved trails erased by a school that didn't really need to be built at all ... and certainly not on the site that was railroaded through the School Board with the Commissioner's full knowledge and consent.
The article says "Commissioner Casavant said he expects that if the road is approved that the county would build and maintain it." Well, duh. The county taxpayers already foot the bill for everything else, and RINO (Republican In Name Only) Casavant has never voted against a tax increase in 9+ years in office. Why not one more tax hike, "for the children" (or for the road for the children, anyway)?
How sad that District 2 has such poor representation on the County Commission and the School Board. The 2008 and 2010 elections can't come soon enough.
Joe Dumas
Signal Mountain
Posted by joedumas at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2007
If You Only Watch One YouTube Video today ...
... watch this one!
And tomorrow night, don't forget to watch Ron Paul appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He's hitting the big time now!
Posted by joedumas at 10:08 PM
Anyone Need a Yard Sign?
I recently ordered and have now received a shipment of Ron Paul for President yard signs.
If anyone would like one, please feel free to e-mail me and ask.
Posted by joedumas at 10:03 PM
October 20, 2007
Meeting a Great Man
My lovely bride and I were fortunate to be able to meet personally with Ron Paul two weeks ago when he came to Nashville for a big rally of supporters. He was even more impressive in person than he is on the Internet or TV. Ron Paul is not physically intimidating like Fred Thompson ... in person he is of modest stature (under six feet and rather thin, but in good shape for a 72-year-old grandfather of 18) ... but his intellect is commanding. Ron Paul might turn out to be the most intelligent President since Thomas Jefferson.
Anyway, here are some photos we took of Ron Paul on the steps of the War Memorial Auditorium, speaking to supporters over lunch before the main event, and a private shot with yours truly before the luncheon. Good thing I didn't break the camera ... it's an awful photo of me, but I'm proud to be standing with the man who, I hope, will be the next President of the United States.
If anyone wants to watch Ron Paul's speech at the Nashville Rally, you can find it on YouTube.
Posted by joedumas at 07:15 PM
October 19, 2007
Why the GOP Must Nominate Ron Paul
Why must the Republican Party nominate Congressman Ron Paul as its 2008 Presidential candidate? Because the alternative is eight years of President Hillary Clinton, that's why!
None of the other so-called "front runner" GOP candidates can beat the all-but-certain Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. There are several reasons for this as I mention in the linked article, but the primary one is that over 70% of the American public wants to get our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible. Therefore, the candidate who most credibly speaks to this anti-war sentiment will win. Hillary will come off as relatively anti-war if matched up with any of Giuliani, Romney, McCain, or Thompson; but Ron Paul's pro-peace credentials are unmatched and he will be able to pull votes from Hillary on both the right and the left ... the only plausible winning strategy for the GOP in 2008.
Note: a slightly different, previous version of the above article appeared on the chattanoogan.com web site.
Posted by joedumas at 11:27 AM
October 18, 2007
What You Should Know About Ron Paul
Ron Paul, my choice for the next President of the United States, has ...
... never voted to raise taxes.
... never voted for an unbalanced budget.
... never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
... never voted to raise congressional pay.
... never taken a government- or lobbyist-paid junket.
... never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
... never participated in the lucrative congressional pension program.
... never spent his full congressional office budget. He returns money to the U.S. Treasury every year.
... voted against the horribly misnamed "USA PATRIOT" Act which effectively gutted the Bill of Rights.
... voted against regulating the Internet.
... voted against all undeclared wars including the occupation of Iraq.
Ron Paul is:
A true exemplar of family values. An obstetrician who has delivered over 4,000 babies, Ron Paul has never performed an abortion or voted in favor of federal funding of abortions. He has been married to the same woman for over 50 years. He has 5 children and 18 grandchildren, and (unlike some other candidates) all of them not only still speak to him, but support him wholeheartedly.
A true champion of the Constitution. Nicknamed "Dr. No" for his relentless refusal to vote for any bill that exceeds the authority given to Congress in the Constitution, Dr. Paul regularly votes against any and all legislation that violates Article I, Section 8. Any time the House of Representatives votes 434-1 in favor of a resolution or bill, you can count on the fact that Dr. Paul is the "1" because he actually checks the Constitution before voting.
The only pro-peace candidate of the Republican Party in 2008. While Dr. Paul is strong on national defense and security issues (a veteran, he served 5 years in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam) he believes we should only go to war when absolutely necessary ... and he knows the invasion and occupation of Iraq was not necessary. According to Ron Paul, we should only go to war upon a Constitutional Declaration of War by Congress. When that occurs, we should:
1. Go in with sufficient troops and resources to do the job.
2. Win as quickly as possible, and ...
3. Come home.
Dr. Paul advocates the wise and prudent foreign policy of our Founders ... peace and commerce with all nations ... entangling alliances with none.
What more do you need to know ... vote Ron Paul for President in 2008!
Posted by joedumas at 11:56 PM
The Other Taxpayer's Best Friend
I originally created this blog when I was running for Hamilton County Commission, District 2, last year (2006).
Despite all the support of friends and voters in the district, which I greatly appreciate, I polled "only" 31% and did not win the County Commission seat. I have no regrets, though, and would do it again in a minute. The chance to meet and discuss the issues with my fellow residents of District 2 was well worth the time, money, and effort.
Of course, it is worth pointing out that of the four Commission seats that were contested in the general election in August, 2006 (five were decided after the primary), we did second best. Only John Bailes (vs. Curtis Adams) polled more votes, and he still lost, despite spending over $50K versus our $6K. We outpolled the other two challengers despite being listed as an independent rather than a major party candidate. Not a win, but not too shabby in any case....
Now the focus has shifted to national politics, specifically the 2008 Presidential race. I am pleased and proud to tell everyone that I am enthusiastically supporting Rep. Ron Paul, R-TX, for President of the U.S. in 2008.
Last year, I ran using the slogan "the Taxpayer's Best Friend." I must admit, I borrowed this monicker from Dr. Ron Paul, the original "Taxpayer's Best Friend." At the time, I had no idea that Congressman Paul would be seeking higher office this year ... but I'm glad to give him back his nickname to use for a while :)
If you live in the Chattanooga area, please join the Chattanooga Ron Paul Meetup group. Whether you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitutionalist, Green, or whatever, Ron Paul needs your help to end "politics as usual" in America and return our country to the legacy of our Founders.
More posts to follow shortly.... Joe
Posted by joedumas at 11:22 PM
July 13, 2006
Night Time Is The Right Time
This past Monday night, I attended a "packed-house" meeting of the Signal Mountain Town Council where the hot topic was the rezoning of residential areas for higher density development. Most of the people in attendance were strongly opposed to the zoning changes, which nevertheless were passed by the Council on first reading.
My point here is not so much to criticize the outcome, but to point out the fact that several dozen, probably close to 100, people showed up at the meeting to see what was going on and voice their opinions. That kind of turnout is great! And it was only possible because the Signal Mountain Town Council meets on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. Weeknight meetings allow the working citizens the chance to see their governing body in action if they so choose; and that is as it should be.
Contrast this practice with that of the Hamilton County Commission, which typically meets on Wednesday mornings. How many people can make it to a meeting that starts at 9:30 a.m. on a weekday and may run through noon?
I am fortunate enough to have a job (professor at UTC) where my class schedule is somewhat flexible and can be adjusted to allow me to leave campus at various times during the day. This is what will allow me to serve as a Commissioner if I am elected on August 3. But, the majority of citizens with daytime jobs are precluded from even throwing their hat in the ring because they could not attend the meetings if elected. And even citizens with no desire to serve on the County Commission, but just having a concern that they would like to voice to that body, must arrange to take time off from work in order to do so.
If elected, I will propose changing the schedule of meetings such that at least some of the County Commission meetings are held during the week, in the evening, so more citizens have the opportunity to attend and make their concerns known to the Commission and the media covering the meeting. This is just one example of the kind of responsiveness and concern I will bring to my public service on your behalf.
Posted by joedumas at 02:06 PM
June 23, 2006
Not A Nickel's Worth Of Difference
I just read a good opinion article in Wednesday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, written by the former Republican Congressman from Georgia, Bob Barr.
Congressman Barr argues (and I agree) that it has become almost impossible to tell the Republicans from the Democrats anymore - not only in Washington, D.C. and state capitals like Atlanta and Nashville, but also in local governments. Republican local officials have become such big spenders and over-regulators, they might just as well be Democrats. Neither "major" party stands for responsible, limited government, that keeps its nose out of your business and mine, anymore.
Nowhere is this more true than in Hamilton County, District 2. We have an incumbent commissioner who runs as a Republican, but he is such a big-government, "nanny-state" liberal that the Democrats don't even run anyone against him. Why bother, when you can get someone from the other party to do the dirty work of expanding government spending and regulation for you?
As Barr says, "it doesn't seem to matter much anymore whether one sports an 'R' or a 'D' after their name." If you want smaller, less intrusive, more cost-effective government, you won't get it by voting for Democrats or Republicans; you need to choose "none of the above." You can do this by voting for me, Joe Dumas, the Taxpayer's Best Friend, on August 3. See you at the polls if not sooner!
Posted by joedumas at 08:12 AM
June 11, 2006
Another Chattanoogan.com Article And My Response
Here is another chattanoogan.com article "What Were We Thinking In Electing Waltzers" that discusses corruption in government officials.
My response, which hasn't made it onto the site yet over the weekend, was:
I join David Booth in deploring the actions of the crooked politicians caught in the Tennessee Waltz sting operation, and in urging all citizens to carefully research the character of the candidates before casting a vote they may regret in the future.
If you want to support a candidate who is honest, fair, and believes in open communication with the citizens, please consider me, Joe Dumas, candidate for Hamilton County Commission, District 2.
Not only have I pledged to uphold the same high standards of ethical conduct on the Commission that I already apply every day in my personal and professional life (as a professor at UTC), but I have also promised to decline the salary/benefits package normally paid to commissioners. I don't want there to be any question of personal financial advantage to me by taking this post, if and when the voters choose me. Instead, I will be proud to serve as a real "Tennessee Volunteer."
If that sounds like the kind of person you would like to have representing you on the County Commission, I invite you to visit my web site at www.JoeDumas.com or e-mail me at joe@joedumas.com to find out how you can get involved in my campaign.
Together, we can move past political corruption and make sure the hard-working, and retired, citizens of Hamilton County are honestly, ethically, and energetically represented!
Joe Dumas
District 2 County Commission Candidate
joe@joedumas.com
Posted by joedumas at 07:29 PM
April 28, 2006
Halfway to 90
4/28/2006 ... seems like just the other day it was 4/28/1961. Today I am halfway to 90 years old....
45 years seems like a long time ... yet it is barely a blip on the historical record of "the animating contest for freedom" as Samuel Adams put it.
As Sir Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen a little farther than others, it's because I stood on the shoulders of giants." Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Madison ... in the modern day some others you might remember ... they are the giants on whose shoulders I have stood.
I thank God every day for placing me on the shoulders of those giants and enabling me to see the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government that they saw. My goal is that those principles shall not perish from this earth....
With every breath I draw, I will continue to fight the good fight begun by our Founders more than 230 years ago ... the fight for the rights of the individual, and against the arbitrary power of government. Without your help I am only one, but with your help we can accomplish anything....
Yours in Liberty,
Joe Dumas
The Taxpayer's Best Friend
Candidate, Hamilton County Commission, District 2
www.JoeDumas.com
Posted by joedumas at 10:30 PM
You've Got To Be Kidding
Just yesterday, I received a post card in the mail from the District 2 incumbent, urging me to vote for him in the May 2 primary. Pardon me if I pass.
His campaign blurb claims that the "citizens want effective education, a positive business environment, and more employment opportunities with higher incomes."
Based on his track record for the last eight years, the only educational initiative I have seen our dear incumbent sponsor is a high school favored by a slim majority of residents on Signal Mountain ... a high school that will decimate Red Bank High School, the main secondary school currently in operation in District 2. The majority of the incumbent's constituents can't possibly be happy about this.... Tearing down an existing school for the chimera of a possible new one doesn't exactly show much of a vision for the district as a whole....
Continue reading "You've Got To Be Kidding"
Posted by joedumas at 09:44 PM
April 12, 2006
So ... are you a Democrat, or a Republican?
That is the question that usually comes up when I knock on a voter's door or introduce myself at a public event. It's a natural question given that Hamilton County conducts "partisan" elections in which each candidate is identified by a party label on the ballot. Although, let me say up front that I wish this were not the case - I would prefer that, like some other counties and all municipalities in Tennessee, we would conduct non-partisan elections. That would help remove the "party machinery" from local races and force every candidate to campaign on his or her issues and qualifications instead of relying on a label. Imagine that....
Continue reading "So ... are you a Democrat, or a Republican?"
Posted by joedumas at 08:56 PM