Trust people with their own money and trust them to grow our economy.

52 straight months of growing jobs – wages are up so are food and gas.

Economic stimulus package can be hung up by add ons – that will hold up or derail it

Are you rich and like taxes? W says he appreciates your enthusiasm and the IRS accepts check and money orders.

Has cut 151 programs equaling $18B and a balanced budget 2012 – American families have to do it – so should the government

Congressional earmarks that are snuck in without discussion or vote…appropriations without earmarks cut in half will be vetoed.

Says he will issue an executive order tomorrow stating federal agencies will have to reject earmarks not voted on publicly by congress

Hope Now Alliance helps home owners avoid foreclosure. Modernize Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Tax free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages

Affordable health care through consumer choice – not government control. Health saving plans, Small business availability.

Education – me must trust students to learn and allow parents to demand results.

No child left behind – 4th and 8th grade math students have achieved the highest test scores ever. Increase accountability.

Failing schools – 2600+ students in DC can go to a faith based or nonpublic school.

$330M pell grants for kids for children trapped in failing public schools.

Americans workers can compete with anyone in the world. Free trade agreement with Peru is successful and like agreements need to be fostered with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.

Columbia – if we fail to pass this agreement we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere…

Energy security – trust in the creative genius of innovators and entrepreneurs. Nuclear power, capturing carbon emission, renewable fuels

Advances show that adult stem cells can work like embryonic stem cells – work towards medical advances without the destruction of human life. Ban buying, selling cloning of human life – all life must be treated with dignity.

Judges should get prompt up or down vote.

Permanently extend Charitable Choice

Entitlement spending – Medicare, social security – need reform need solutions to save them for our children and grandchildren

Immigration – secure borders, fences, technology, catch and release at the border, double number of border patrol agents…but we need to find a way to lawfully allow workers to come over to support our economy. Must deal compassionately with those already here. Solution must coincide with laws and our high ideals.

Foreign Policy – 3200 Marines added to Afghanistan to fight and train. Spreading freedom and democracy reduces terror and terrorism.

Surge work with the Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqis. People understood that they were not going to be abandoned. They stayed behind and ensure the safety of neighborhoods, improvement in security, improvement in daily life.

Return on success – 20000 troops coming home…”You have our solemn pledge – you will have all you need to protect our nation.” Called on congress to fully fund the troops.

I have told the story about where I was.  This is what happened next.

The base was put on lockdown.  We were instructed that those of us who lived in military housing with our families would need to put a plan together immediately to evacuate them.  The fear was that our chance of being a target was great.  We were right outside of Chicago and the home of the largest Naval training facility.

Madison was 4 and Savannah was 2 months old.   Mark and I decided that should the call go out to evacuate, the three of them would go home to Georgia.  I would try to get home as soon as I could to help him pack.

I had just been promoted and they had not updated my ID card.  This meant my ID and my uniform did not match.  Usually not a big deal – but this was no where near “usually.”  My superior officers decided it was best if I went home and did not attempt to come back on to the main base until a runner could bring me the necessary paperwork.

By the time I got to base housing, there were big concrete barriers blocking all the entrances except one.  The main entrance was also equipped with these same barriers forming a maze forcing those who entered to do so slowly.  The guard shack was manned with armed security forces.  This would be the norm for a long time to come.

The order never came to evacuate our families.  I was thankful.  Although I was the military member, I always feel safer when Mark is around.  After a while, we attempted to regain some sense of a normal routine.

The first time Madison saw the guards at the entrance, she was bewildered.  The second time she had questions.  Why were they there?  Where had they been before?  Why do they have guns?  Is it because of the planes?

As I am sure many of you know, explaining the events of September 11th to a 4 year old is not easy.  Tip toeing on truth and appropriateness while maintaining a delicate balance of awareness and safety is no small feat.

Yes, they are there because of the planes.  They have guns to make sure that bad folks can’t hurt you.  They are here to help Mommy and Daddy keep you safe.

“Sure does look like they are cold out there,” Madison commented.  She was right – they sure did look cold.  We brought them coffee that they wouldn’t take.  Of course they wouldn’t – I knew better.  It’s a security precaution.  But, Madison was satisfied that they were okay out there, and they knew we appreciated them.

We really appreciated them.

These guys protected my home with force and at the risk of life.  Seems dramatic now, but the fear was very real then.  They did more than stand watch at the gate of housing, they gaurded the gate of my baby’s fear.  Mommy and Daddy would never let anything happen to her or her new baby sister, and these guys were going to make sure of it.

Thank you to all the men and women who stood watch outside of Great Lakes housing.  You kept my family safe.  Thank you to all those who continue to stand watch around the world.  You continue to provide that safety.  You are supported and appreciated.

Disclaimer 1- I think dog fighting is horrific and completely support the offense being labeled as a felony with prison time as a just punishment.

Disclaimer 2 – I could care less if if Michael Vick continues to receive endorsements – he never sends me any money so his income does not affect me.  I would prefer that Atlanta cut him simply because I am an Atlanta fan and not real impressed with his ability to lead the team or produce as a quarterback.

Down to my opinion. Vick has been indicted, not convicted. I don’t know why people have already called for the team and his sponsors to cut him. The Duke Lacrosse team is coming back to my memory.

Do I think he is guilty? Who cares. I am not on a jury – although I would be willing to volunteer if anybody can set that up for me.

There are people who say he is guilty. So what? I have been the unfortunate subject in a few untruths in my life. I’d be willing to bet you have too.

Then there’s the camp that says Michael Vick should be punished even if he isn’t convicted because everybody knows that rich people always get off. Just look at OJ. This aggravates me to no end.  Let’s follow this logic. I work hard, get born into, dumb luck – whatever – my way into being successful and making a boatload of money. Now, anybody can claim anything against me, true or not, and based on the claim, I am penalized. Does this make sense – really?  Who in their right mind would agree with this if it were themselves being treated this way?

The person (Michael Vick) is not the issue here. Neither is the crime. The point is the right we all have to our day in court and to defend ourselves. Micheal Vick is not an exception. Dog fighting isn’t either.

If you chose to disagree – that’s great, as that is your right. I just hope, for your sake, you don’t end up on the other side of the judgement fence.