Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Do your religious views mirror to your political views?

I wonder sometimes, how or if ones religious values and beliefs support or even dictate for that matter, their political views? Are we destined to use our religious faith and background to make the most difficult decisions in life, such as voting for a leader? I'm only asking this question because sometimes I just would like to understand what people use for their own rational in political assessments and viewpoints. Some individuals just scare me with their thought process.


We all know that John F. Kennedy was this country's first Roman Catholic every elected to President. Being that is it may, his brother, Sen. Ted Kennedy is also Roman Catholic. As I am as well. The truth of the matter is that as a Catholic growing up, we were taught simple basic lessons in life that were supposed to help guide us through decision making processes. Those such as: Honor our mother and thy father. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not kill....and so on and so on. Sen. Kennedy however, has essentially killed a woman, lied on the floor of the Senate about our president to the American people following the 9/11 attacks and supports abortion. The question comes then, when does your faith kick in to make the appropriate decisions? When is your faith supposed to be the deciding factor in saying what is right or wrong.


Here's another topic about doing what is correct or what you believe in. How can an actor, who is known to be homosexual, act in full faith about a character who is straight. Are they not lying to themselves and to the viewers for that matter? I believe so. If they are lying about who they are, then they are lying about what they believe in.


The opposite is true as well. How can an actor who is heterosexual (and say a practicing Christian and against the homosexual lifestyle) portray a character who is homosexual and not feel a bit of guilt knowing their own faith and background. I truly think though, that many people do not use their faith enough to make decisions but use the power of persuasion and peer pressure in order to make the decisions they do. Religious faith is something that you have and may sometimes lose it if you do not practice using it.

We all know that many political leaders say the are very religious and have strong beliefs in their Church. But, we also know that many of these leaders pander to special interest groups in order to get votes and money to stay in office. I just wished that they actually looked at their faith and what their Church tells them and believes in to do what is absolutely right for the citizens in this great nation.

In this very important election year that is full of secrets, disassociation, backstabbing and many other unfortunate items, I ask you all to turn to your faith in your religion. This will hopefully lead you to make the greatest and sound decision you could ever make for a candidate for political office. I know I will use my religious faith to help make that decision when I go to the voting booth. I'm sure the Founding Fathers used their faith to formulate those great documents as well as the strucuture for our existing government.

Now more than ever...GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Edwards endorces Obama! Why Now?

So John Edwards, the former vice presidential running mate for Sen. John Kerry in the 2004 election, is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president. Does this surprise anyone? Not me. You had to think that sooner or later that he would endorse the front runner (whoever that was going to be) before the convention. Why you ask? Well, why would he want to come out for the eventual "loser" early in the nomination process when he can wait and see, then endorse the nominee and align himself up for another run at the VP slot? If no one saw this coming, than you all need a political reality check. Edwards loves politics a great deal. He loves himself even more. He loves the spotlight on himself and anything associated with being on top. He loves news stories that promote him and that casts a glowing beam of light upon him. What he'll be sorry for is when Obama doesn't pick him for the VP ticket slot. You will then see a real bitter man take shots at Obama and then silently go away whimpering in the corner. At least that is my take on it. Heck I've been wrong before. I actually thought that Edwards would win the nomination back in November.

So with this endorsement, what does it mean for Hillary Clinton, and John McCain for that matter? As far as Clinton, she'll have a slight up hill battle at first, but Edwards will say more on the TV and new stations and dig himself in a hole, thus shedding a better light upon Hillary. I'm sure people will ask Clinton what she thinks of Edwards endorsement and if she had talked with him. Her response will be respectful but demeaning at the same time. She'll shrug it off like all the other legislative endorsements that Obama has gotten. In my eyes, this endorsement will likely cause more damage to Obama in the end then early on.

As for John McCain. He will sit back and let the cards play out on the Democratic Party side. He still needs to just focus on his policy making, his speeches and getting conservatives on board with his agenda. That is the sell for him...the conservative base. They need to be assured that he will fight for the things they believe in such as limited government spending, right to life, traditional marriage amendment and so on. These issues as well as the economy, is what will be the deciding factors in this race. Getting the base out to support you is key in this day and age as well as gaining new support. Just sit back my freinds....this is getting exciting.

God Bless America!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Clinton wins BIG in West Virginia! McCain must be happy!

As the numbers are still pouring in the remaining precincts in West Virginia, Hillary Clinton is celebrating a decisive victory over Barack Obama. At of the time of this writing, she is up nearly by 37 points over Obama with 56% of the precincts reporting. In other words, that's one heck of a beating. But, will this key victory propel her to gain some support from the remaing super delegates? Additionally, will she keep fighting on until the DNC Convention? Only her and her advisors know for sure. It was just last week when NBC's Tim Russert and others claimed she was done. I wonder though, what are those critics are thinking now of Clinton's victory?



Rest assure my fellow Americans, Hillary Clinton will not drop out of this presidential race as long as she is winning votes and primaries. Her whole argument of winning the popular vote and the states where the most electoral votes are is what is driving her to try and seat those delegates from Florida and Michigan who has been denied thus far from the DNC. Do we really think that the DNC will forget and shun the voters of those two states? Yep. They will, if it means putting a new face of the Democratic Party at the forefront. They do not want a devisive party much less one that is subject to criticism from the will of the people. They simply want her to drop out quietly and show some "unity" with the other party faithful. Sorry Howard Dean; not going to happen. Your party is imploding and so is your chances of returning to the White House.



As a Republican, I am elated that Hillary Clinton won in West Virginia tonight. This means to me that the Democratic Party and their poster child of Obama is indeed sucking wind. As a diehard Republican, I am a man of party loyalty, which means, yes, I am supporting Sen. John McCain for President. If my current president whom I whole heartedly supported in both his elections is behind John McCain, than I can to. This is a gret time to be McCain as well with the victory of Clinton tonight. This means that he can still work with his advisors to formulate his strategic plans for Iraq, Foreign Relations with Middle East leaders, and other important tasks that U.S. presidents need to do. The fighting in the Democratic Party has given him the ideal situation in preparing for the things that Americans feel are most important. Those being the economy, War on Terror, Iraq, government spending, social security and so on. Whatever the topic, you can bet that McCain is finalizing his plans for the American people.



On a side not, we are very lucky and fortunate to see the whole electoral process take place this election cycle. This has been a real treat for political enthusiasts like myself and other s who blog in their spare time. The Democratic Party still fighting for a nominee and both campaigns having their fair share of drama and hiccups. The Republican Party having their own drama at state conventions with Ron Paul being an annoying little voice that won't go away. Whatever it has been to many of you, it for sure has been exciting to me to witness these events. I'm glad I live in these wonderful United States of America to experience what we have here.



God Bless America!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Matt's Take: 2008 Maine Republican Convention

So the 2008 Maine Republican State Convention has come and gone. This past weekend many exciting things happened along with a few hiccups. Regardless of those later items, it was a great event designed to motivate the masses and to push our Republican agenda to the tops of every one's minds. A great speech by former GOP Presidential candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday night captured a very grateful audience and in an eloquent way, demanded unity with the party faithful. Additionally, Sen. Olympia Snowe, Sen. Susan Collins and congressional candidates, Dean Scontras and John Frary added to the patriotic and embracing atmosphere. I was very pleased, as well as extremely tired, when it was all said and done on Saturday afternoon.

The hiccups along the way that I mentioned were mainly due to a few items that got tangled in the area of the agenda. I'm sure many that went to the event and complained about the time it took for certain things to occur, generally take the volunteers in place for granted. I know what many of them were going through and I respect ALL the volunteers behind the scenes of this event a great deal. So, let's not complain about the event unless you want to volunteer at the next one.

Now, speaking of volunteers, we're going to need plenty this election cycle. The Ron Paul supporters who made it on the city and county committees and the State Committee, I truly hope they stay involved and help our local candidates. Whatever you feel about a presidential candidate can also be transferred to the local arena as well. I will venture to say that most all Republicans in the Maine Legislature are conservatives and do what ever is needed to limit the growth of government. Isn't that one of our principles of the Republican Party, to limit government?

Finally, many of you know I serve as Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Committee and I want to offer my deepest sincere congratulations to my good friend (and somewhat of a mentor), Maine GOP Chairman Mark Ellis. Mark, along with Executive Director Julie Ann O'Brien managed to have not one, but two great speakers attending this years Convention. Gov. Mitt Romney and national political commentator, Cal Thomas. Both men gave wonderful speeches that played very well to our brand of Maine Republicans. Mark and Julie have done a great job with keeping the party together in a trying time during the differences of opinions at the presidential level as well as at the local level. They have pushed hard for working closer with the Republican leadership in the Maine Legislature and you can definitely see the impact with the "McCain Unity Ticket" of national delegates. Regardless of the presidential race, Maine Republicans have to come together to battle our own issues here in Augusta. Again, I thought the convention ended with the enthusiasm that was well needed to move this party forward. I'm glad I attended and am truly glad I am a Republican in Maine.

God Bless America!

President Ronald Reagan

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Norridgewock, Maine, United States