Why I chose Mike over the others (brief summary)

For some of you who know me, my support/endorsement of Mike Huckabee might surprise you. For others who know my passion that "basic American freedoms are not free" side, this might not surprise you.

2 Things to focus on in considering MIKE HUCKABEE:
1. FairTax - a concept that puts our tax system in line with our basic American entrepreneurial spirit - no tax on productivity, just on consumption.

2. Listen to his Detroit Economic Club Speech - it embodies everything I believe.


As to the other candidates & why I didn't choose them, I'll probably be posting more to the I Like Mike Blog about that, but here's the basics:

1. Hillary - absolutely not an option - She believes only in power and will do anything to get it. Read Dick Morris' book (yes, he hates the Clintons but what I learned from a man who "broke bread" with her on a daily basis). And, I learned when I was very little (thanks to Great Parents) that equal means equal - and it also means blind - blind to sex, race and creed - which means I won't vote for anyone because they're a woman & vice versa!

2. Obama - aside from his lack of experience, there's his (& Hillary's) complete Socialist agenda. I could never vote to turn our free-commerce Republic into a Socialist economy.


[FYI I have heard enough Socialist medicine horror stories to know that as soon as you take free-market-competition out of healthcare that there will be no innovation & no quality. There are better health care alternatives than socialized medicine.]


[BTW, I believe that America is not the land of guaranteed bread & honey & healthcare & jobs. America is the land of guaranteed freedoms and equality that enable an individual to make his/her own choices by which he/she can provide him/herself with bread, honey, healthcare & jobs.]

3. Rudy - I like Rudy (so does my husband) and he's the one who took down our former employer (Drexel Burnham Lambert). But we voted for him for Mayor of NYC & we LOVED him as Mayor. He was fearless - with the Mob, with graft, with big biz, with small biz, with unions, etc. But, he doesn't have the FAIRTAX plan, and I think the rest of my reasons are really personality-based.

4. Fred - I like Fred's thinking - and it's really not that different from Rudy's (or Huckabee's for that matter, although Fred would like to make a bigger distinction). Look, if the Republicans nominated Fred, I'd absolutely vote for him in November (heck, if the Reps nominate anyone other than Ron Paul I'd absolutely vote for him in November). But, if I can have a choice between a good executive and a guy who speaks to my love for America & its core principles, and a guy who has put his muscle behind his campaign for the last year (rather than just showing up and getting a pulse now), and a guy who can speak in a common sense, down to earth, yet coherent and articulate and inspirational manner, I'll choose the latter.

5. Mitt - I like Mitt too. For about the last 1+ years I've been watching/listening to the BYU Channel on my DirectTV (channel 374), along with other inspirational channels & speakers. BYU is 1 of few places in this country that is not only committed to families but they put their $$ where their mouth is and have a tremendous amount of workshops, seminars, etc. - at least semi-annually @ BYU in huge conventions about the real agita & "how to" of parenting & building strong families. No one else does this anymore - not even the local YMCA. If you told your friends that you hold a "family night" once a week they'd think you were weird - and weirder still if you told them that on another night of the week you all got together and discussed your faith. Those are the sort of things I learn - and love - about what BYU & the Mormon community has to offer. (Of course, the Mormon Church has alot of other issues that remind me of why I shy away from "institutional religion" and prefer "spirituality.") Just because I like BYU doesn't mean I like Mitt - I just wanted to point out that it's not because of his faith that makes me not choose him. I do like Mitt because of his understanding of how biz works and what type of govt promotes & supports it, and I think he's a problem solver. AND I absolutely loved the speech that he gave about his faith - it too was historic and real. BUT I don't connect with him when he usually talks (except last Sat night when he was in the "zone") - he tries to hard, he's too stiff, I think he tries to be everything to everybody (like saying that each of the 10 mil illegal immigrant's situation would be reviewed one by one - utterly unrealistic), he too (along w/the other Rep candidates) does not promote the FAIRTAX, and given all of that, he doesn't inspire me - as either an awesomely successful biz person or an awesome leader.

6. John - I sort of like John. I'm amazed at what he's been able to do w/his life after his POW experience. I like his strategy/opinions on the war. But, he is the Republican I would least like to be nominated primarily because of his opposition to so much important fiscally conservative legislation that his party tried to accomplish. And, I'm not okay w/letting illegals stay here - even w/a fine. And, I guess I especially haven't forgiven him for that fillibuster crap. Now, I know that his heart is in trying to get the 2 parties to work together - but the Democratic party just refuses to sing "Kumbaya" right now - they are completely about wanting to "take out the Republicans at the knees." So, what's left in McCain's wake? A frustrated mess.


I'll be posting more specific reasons why I LIKE MIKE on future posts - SPECIFICALLY, I'll be disecting the Detroit Econ Club speech & applying it to my beliefs & the lives of my family & friends.

For now, just listen to his Detroit Economic Club speech (below) and learn about the possibility of living in an America that puts its $$$ where it's mouth is - NO TAX ON PRODUCTIVITY & INGENUITY!!! (i.e. THE FAIRTAX - find out more HERE on Mike Huckabee's Campaign site)


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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Mike Huckabee's Detroit Economic Club Speech - Jan. 11, 2008

This is one of the great speeches of our time.

[Watch it here - without even having to leave this blog - see the 5 part YouTube below.]

You MUST watch this regardless of who you're voting for or even whether you're voting.

I love writing speeches and public speaking, and some even say that I'm good at it.

But, this is the kind of speech I dream of giving (or writing). Every idea, every value, every theory, every comment, every inspirational moment rings true for me as a person and as a United States citizen.

People like me dream of writing or giving speeches like this. It brought tears to my eyes - which last happened when I was reading Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address at his Monument.

So, whether you like Mike or not, whether you've decided that you're voting for a different Republican or a Democrat, or even if you're not even sure what a primary is and wasn't even planning on voting this year . . . listen to this speech.

Take a moment to be inspired. Take a moment to be reminded of America's greatness - and of the inherent Greatness in each of us.

Obviously, there's a lot to comment about in this speech about the political issues (& why I think Mike's not only right - but that he's right on point!), and I'll do it in later posts.

Oh, and if you want to compare, or remember, or read for the first time, the awe-inspiring words of Lincoln, see above.




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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Detroit Economic Club Speech - Part 1 of 5 - Jan. 11, 2008

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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Detroit Economic Club Speech - Part 2 of 5 - Jan. 11, 2008

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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Detroit Economic Club Speech - Part 3 of 5 - Jan. 11, 2008

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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Detroit Economic Club Speech - Part 4 of 5 - Jan. 11, 2008

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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Detroit Economic Club Speech - Part 5 of 5 - Jan. 11, 2008

This is the Q&A section - with questions about:

1. What sets you apart from other Republican candidates?
2. How did you accomplish stellar success with Arkansas' education system and what would you do to improve "No Child Left Behind?"
3. Beatles or Rolling Stones? (Includes Keith Richards story)
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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

God Bless America!

I think most average Americans today think that all Huckabee supporters are either Evangelicals, or at least "Bible-thumpers" (i.e. they try pressure others into believing in God the way they do).

What most Americans forget is that most of us DO believe in God - we just all practice and believe differently.

I for one, doubt that any of my colleagues know my faith or whether I practice it or whether I believe in God. I am just not an in-your-face sort of person (that is, except for my positive attitude).

But, I, along with the vast majority of Americans, do have faith in a Divine Source or Being. And, I, along with many many others who may or may not have put a label on their faith, do pray, or meditate and give thanks to that Divine Being on a regular basis.

In fact, our society's avoidance (almost intolerance, despite our Constitution) of any talk of God, is so rampant that it even prompted Ben Stein to write about how idiotic this intolerant anti-God agenda is. Read Ben Stein's Original Essay here.

Here's an excerpt:

I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. . . .

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

Sooooo, I made a Squidoo lens about the idea that we've gotten away from saying, thinking, singing and praying "God Bless America." What if we all sang (or prayed) "God Bless America" a little bit more? My guess is that . . . we would be MORE blessed.
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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

My background

I come from large loving Massachusetts Catholic families, who on the surface appear to have always been Democrats, although, given that Massachusetts finally elected a Republican governor, I am sure some of them voted Republican.

Two of my uncles almost became priests, my father was in the seminary and attending Providence College (as did I) before enlisting in the Army to "travel" to Vietnam. He followed (consciously or unconciously) the example of his father and uncles who served in WWII. My great Uncle (my maternal grandfather's brother) died in action in St. Lo, after successfully landing on Omaha beach on D-Day. My grandfather talked about him and the significance of D-Day for the next 60+ years. My closest aunt works in her church. My uncle and aunt have made a life mission housing, blessing and caring for those who have fallen through the cracks (Champ House in Capte Cod, MA). My other aunts and uncles volunteer their time & efforts with various fundraising and charitable causes.

And, need I say, we LOOOOOVVVVVE the Red Sox (except for a few errant souls).

We are a family of service. We find tremendous personal satisfaction in helping others.

And, we believe in hard work. We believe in gratitude and giving thanks. We believe that we - and every single person if given a chance - can make something of ourselves. On my father's side, many of the women worked in the Fall River Knitting Mill at some point (including myself - I was a sleeve turner for a few weeks one summer just before college - and I gave thanks everyday that that was not my destiny). Many in my family worked in restaurants as cooks, waitresses (including me) and managers. My father is the oldest of 11 and finished his bachelor's after interrupting it to serve our country (he was the first in his family's history to go to college). My mother is the oldest of 5 and became a Registered Nurse and followed my father around the globe for his 9 years of service. (They disagreed on the War then, and probably still do.) And, almost all of us, believe in a God. We may think of God, relate to God, and worship God differently, and in our own unique way - but we believe He is our Divine Creator.

I was a Girl Scout and think that Scouting is one of the best experiences a kid can have. I was blessed with 2 loving parents who sacrificed so much to give us so much - including a 3 month trip around the United States of America in a VW bus.

I grew up learning about oratory, and with discussions about America's greatness. In 1980 I won a speech contest for the Miss Rhode Island Teenager Pageant (my style - speeches over beauty) about "What's Right About America" citing the 1980 Olympic defeat by the US over the Soviets as a turning point in our culture. [And today, I absolutely love the movie, Miracle, based on that story.] I grew up with Norman Rockwell's prints on our wall and learning what "The 4 Freedoms" meant, and about the 4 US Marshalls walking with a little girl on her way to school.

I was taught (in the women's lib '70s with 2 very liberal working parents) that:
1. I could do anything.
2. I could be anything I wanted because this is America. (and its unique greatness lay in its freedoms, including free enterprise, and that we should be honor it, by serving others, rather than apologize for, its superiority) (My Dad still gets reminded of the day, when visiting a Washington DC landmark, that he erroneously commented to me that I could someday marry a senator and have my wedding reception there. I became sullen and pouting, whereupon my Mom inquired what was wrong. I responded that I wanted to be the Senator, not the Senator's wife. My Dad quickly apologized and corrected his commentary.)
3. Everyone is equal. (I had read "Black Like Me" by 6th grade.) (I realize that I am a minority on this issue - as I see every day in my work - because I believe that equal does not mean that women have permission to be "men-haters" nor do blacks have a right to have separate dorms; equal means equal rights and equal responsibilities and equal treatment and equal respect.)
4. Your attitude is a choice.
5. Standing up for the underdog whose cause is just is always noble.
6. Love is the ultimate emotion.
7. God doesn't come in a 1-size-fits-all box . . . we all find our way to God on our unique path.

I am married to a wonderful man, and I have a 22-year-old step-daughter (who lives & works & goes to grad school in D.C., who does tremendous work for a great human rights organization called FairFund who has completely opposite political opinions than I and her Dad), and a 6-year old daughter who is truly a Joy-filled Spirit. In growing together with my husband during the last 10 years of our marriage, I have learned to appreciate my big Massachusetts family more than I had before. He comes from a small Texas family, and he is always astounded at how often and how thoroughly we all come together for the holidays and for each family member's life events (not to mention the annual Clam Boils). So yes, he is a very patient man ;)

And still, the great song that resonates from my childhood is "Here I am Lord." It's all about service and helping others.

Soooo, you may be wondering why I don't agree with some of Mike Huckabee's Republican adversaries who have begun labeling Mike a "liberal" because he is tuned into the need to help others (as if that desire is reserved for one party or the other). Well, for starters, I believe that they have taken a couple things out of context in an attempt to allege that he is not a "true" fiscal conservative. Helping others is not the question. The questions are:

HOW to help others? I believe that the fiscal conservative way of fixing the big picture, so that the system raises everyone up, and encourages free markets and rewards inginuity and productivity, is the best way (and that it is far better than the "hand-out" method under which we have all be living and failing for decades). And, this is what Mike Huckabee stands for.

WHO will lead America in a way that blesses us so that we, the People, can bless others?

I believe that Mike Huckabee is that man.

Keep checking back for more reasons why "I LIKE MIKE" or subscribe to this blog.
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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book

Why now?

I've given this blog some thought. It's one thing to support someone. It's another to publicly hold yourself out there for everyone to know about it.

Also, I wasn't sure if my not having the what I think is the average Huckabee profile would detract the average Huckabee voter.

And then, there's the "what if I change my mind?" factor.

Finally, the right time, right trigger, and right space came together. Today. When I heard his Detroit Economic Club speech. Tonight is the space and time to make it come together.

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Wishing Mike & his supporters All the Best,
Theresa
The Kids' Bank Book