Choose Liberty

Campaign Finance Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Money in politics... scratch that, Money = Politics.

THIS IS A PROBLEM.

It has been a problem for a long, long time; forever in fact. Citizens United was just the icing on the cake.

The fact that special interest money has such an overwhelming effect on; elections and government is the primary road block to accomplishing anything of meaning. For that reason, it should be the primary initiative for all citizens to effect change on. Without fixing this problem, all other problems (related to our government anyway) are UNSOLVABLE.

There may be occasions when you agree with the decisions being made... terrific, just know this; at best the special interest and your interest were aligned on a particular issue, but the outcome had NOTHING to do with your interest, at worst the special interest through the power of money and media influenced your thinking into alignment (congrats!).

So, how do we fix this? Many state and local municipalities have tried to change the effect of money on elections. Some have done ok, but most have run up against court challenges or lack of public support. This lack of success is based in how the legislation is written and of course... the influence of special interest money on elections.

Given the marginal rate of success to this point, we need to focus on ONLY electing candidates who will make this a priority and if they don't, electing someone else.

Additionally, we need election laws that are simple and bulletproof.

1. Move to amend - constitutional amendment defining money as NOT speech.
2. Regulations on public media outlets (radio, tv, internet) to require the airing of "x" amount of time (and at the correct time) for every "qualified" candidate in a federal race. This lessens the tax payer burden and somewhat mutes the advantage of a candidate who does not accept public financing.
3. Provide public funds to any qualified candidate in a federal race if they so choose to participate. The funds need to be substantial from the start so as to encourage as many candidates as possible to participate.

If we have several candidates running in each race the value of each dollar spent on any one is dissipated, it encourages the rise of smaller parties and independents.

We can make this happen, email this post to your Congress person or Senator, tell them you'll settle for nothing less.

Choose liberty!

Liberty or Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:07:00 +0000

The question comes up once again after a TSA security officer forced a 95 year old woman to remove an adult diaper. Err, what?

Yep, true.

Yep, crazy.

This story makes headlines because it's sooo out there, but should we be focused on the premise of what they are trying to do? First of all we do not have a right to fly on private airplanes traveling to and from various public airports. From that perspective none of our liberties are really being attacked regardless of the methods they may choose to use. We can simply choose not to to fly if we are so offended and maybe that is exactly what we should do...not fly.

Perhaps a message needs to be sent. Treat me like a terrorist and we'll do worse than any hijacker could. We'll put you out of business.

Wal-Mart Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:47:00 +0000

I hate Wal-Mart. Really, really hate them. Love Costco, hate Wal-Mart.

Hate how they come into a small town and intentionally and without mercy attempt to detroy the small businesses that made the town. Too often they are successful.

All that said the Supreme court decision in their favor was the only just thing to do. There is no way that the plantiffs could demonstrate the sex discrimination was unwritten company policy. I hope those ladies who were truly discriminated against proceed with individual suits and I hope there are some attorneys who have the guts to take those cases.

This country needs tort reform and this was a step in the right direction. Congrats Wal-Mart... damn it hurts to say that.

Enjoy today

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:56:00 +0000

Why? I have everything I need and far far more than most could ever hope for, so why? Why do I allow myself to be so unsatisfied with where I stand today and instead am permanently fixated on where I want to go, what I want to do and what I want to have.

Too often, as in almost always I miss out on the joy of the moment I am in. Rarely have I reveled in what I have. Even as I write this I think of the things I want. I ahould be enjoying a Sunday morning with my family, really taking in that experience, but instead thoughts of tomorrow and my disdain for it dominate my mind.

I get that complete satisfaction is probably not healthy and we should look to improve ourselves and our position, but shouldn't the purpose of that improvement be central to our thought process, what are we truly trying to accomplish and why?

I don't have those answers, but I would like to.

Adversity

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:16:00 +0000

It is in adversity that we find out who we are. Think about for that for a second, we will live thousands and thousands of days, but will truly remember only a handful. We will remember our highest highs and our lowest lows, but if life was easy we'd have neither.

As we continue to move forward and continue to succeed our work will continue to be challenging. The day we embrace the idea that there really is no finish line is the day we go from standing on the earth to holding it our hands.

Believe in people

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:39:00 +0000

Do you think that at your core you are a good, hard working, well intentioned person?
Do you think the same of those around you?

If you answered yes to the first and no to any of the second, why?

I contend that most people want to contribute and they want to do something well. They want to feel good about themselves. I would further contend that most people do not feel good about themselves.

People tell themselves they are not good, can’t do it, won’t get a chance, aren’t significant, etc. etc. etc. Then they go and prove it to themselves everyday, cementing these beliefs in their mind. Wouldn’t it be great if you helped just one person believe in themselves? Truly believe that they were better than they were living, capable of so much more.

Then watch them go out and prove it to themselves everyday, cementing that belief in their mind.

Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:37:00 +0000

Ever had a bad day? Needed some real perspective? It is rare that I consider any day particularly better or worse that any other, but last night I got what I needed.

After eating dinner we were hanging out in the family room when my 23 month old son (as he often does) came over and said “daddy hold you”. So I picked him up; normally he would want me to toss him on the couch or take him someplace that he can’t reach by himself and he probably shouldn’t be getting into.

But then he said, “daddy?”

“Yes, hunny”, I replied.

“I wuv you daddy”

Now he has “parroted” I love you many times, but that was the first time it was unprompted. Words can not describe…

Believe in yourself...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:35:00 +0000

I know this; you will have good days and bad, easy days and difficult ones. You will encounter people who believe in you and people who do not.

You are the only constant. There is no one who can make you feel a certain way. You are your own insulation to life’s circumstances.

Ask yourself this; does a bad day at work transition into a bad night at home? Vice versa? Do other people’s opinions of you knock you down or prop you up more than your own opinions of yourself?

Know thyself

There can be a million people who don’t believe in you and only one who does, it doesn’t matter. Just so long as the one is you.

Patriotism?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:59:00 +0000

What does it mean to be a patriot? Some would have you believe that if you question the thinking of the government that you are somehow unpatriotic. That we should blindly and completely follow the ideology and actions of our leaders.

I would suggest precisely the opposite. We must question incessantly, challenge vehemently and think intelligently about the message that is being sent both nationally and globally.

This is not to say that we should be disrespectful, but rather thoughtful.

A patriot is someone who stands up to be counted when their country needs them. Whether it be in war or for peace, they pay attention and they pay tribute. Tribute to the idea that it is not enough to have certain inalienable rights.... you must excercise them.

Be a patriot.

McCain jumps to the top

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:55:00 +0000

The volatility of the race on the Republican side is a good thing. It shows people are paying attention and hopefully not just voting for the guy they think can win. There are still those folks around (like most of the folks supporting Romney), but the field is genuinely wide open.

I even think that Paul, Giuliani and Thompson should not be left for dead yet. You know Paul is sticking it out and I hope the rest do too.

Why I'm Pro Life

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:37:00 +0000

Abortion is not about choice it's about individual rights. Each of us has a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". In my mind these rights begin at conception.

I come to this conclusion because;

Life begins at conception, you can qualify that life however you wish, but it is life and left alone will develop into a full fledged human being.

Yes the mother has rights, but those rights do not supercede the rights of the unborn child. Yes the mother is deserving of choices. I believe those choices begin with "do I have sex?", "should I use birth control?" and could end with "do I keep the child or put it up for adoption?"

Knicks call it a season...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ouellette) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:38:00 +0000

After an abysmal 9 wins and 25 losses start to the NBA season the New York Knicks have decided to drop out of the rest of the season and their future opponents will win by forfeit.

Coach Isaiah Thomas indicated that the "league had spoken" and there just wasn't much point in continuiing.

Why does this story seem ludicrous when it's barely news at all when a major party candidate for President drops out after a couple states in the primary round? I just don't get it, never have. Iowa and New Hampshire? This is the collective and unified voice of a nation? Are you serious?

Governor Richardson is on the way out and people are writing off John Edwards.

Are we such a nation of lemmings that we will just gravitate to those who appear to have the upper hand? Isn't the very reason the primaries are spread out is so the whole nation can get a look at the candidates and judge them on their merits, up close and personal like?

Candidates on all sides, STAY IN THE RACE. Make your opponents earn this, we are talking about President of the United States right? We need a leader who will fight for their country, that fight has just begun.