Florida...Do You Need a Change?

     The state of Florida has been confronted with so much turmoil over the past decade or two especially in the world of the political spectrum. Ever since Ballotgate of 2000, when Al Gore lost all 25 electoral votes in an alleged voter fraud scandal although winning the popular vote, this state just can not decide on a year to year basis what direction is best for its citizens and the nation.  Eight years of President Bush led to war, rising unemployment, continuing outsourcing of jobs, an ignored terrorist plot and numerous other cause for concern of the public.  Since then, Florida has continued to flip-flop between the two major parties as if playing a game of hot potato.
     In this election year 2012, it is imperative that the 25 electoral votes in this state are not only used wisely, but above reproach.  Do not allow the same mistakes to continue as the citizens of the sunshine state need to take control of the government once again.  In 2008, the state of Florida was on par with the rest of the country as you saw that a change was needed and President Obama was voted into office.  The country came together for the first two years and allowed Obama the benefit of a Democratic majority that gave him flexibility to begin the change that was called for by pundits, politicians and the public itself.  Then the elections of 2010 came and went and that majority dwindled and succumbed to a GOP majority that for two years has scratched, fought and clawed their way into disapproving many of the reform policies that our POTUS put forth.
     Now, as the Supreme Court has upheld a national healthcare reform policy that was generated by none other than Mitt Romney himself, the battle continues.  Republicans across the boards have attempted 33 repeals of the ACA(Obamacare) for no other reason than their own name was not put on the bill.  Do you want facts from the ACA?  Do you want to be another in the line of people that want to discredit this bill before they even know the facts? Go to http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/ and you can actually see that any of the so-called Obamatax is not what the GOP is claiming.  Do you want more truth? Then visit http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html and you will be able to see Obama's accomplishments with citations.  If the state of Florida does not believe any of these resources, be my guest to visit factcheck.org and post a question for them to respond to as a non-partisan entity.
     As a state, your past ten year voting record has changed more than Mitt Romney's date of his tax extension.  You were right to vote for change and give your POTUS backing in 2008, but to turn around in the next election and render our leader useless was a poor showing of political knowledge.  This country needs a strong, honest, and transparent leader who is not afraid to make a mistake or push to move forward. Yet, there is another in line to unseat him that refuses to allow the citizens of this country see a mere tax return.  A POTUS that hides his personal life from the public should never be trusted again.  We need you Florida.  We need you to not only use your electoral votes rationally, but also to seat House Representatives, Senators and any others that will help our POTUS, not hurt him as he pushes towards the change this country needs and deserves.

     Visit your home site at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/default.aspx to register to vote, educate yourselves on the elections and candidates that are coming shortly in November.  Do not allow another gaffe in the system by the popular vote meaning nothing.  Vote for change.  Vote for a way that our citizens can look up to our elected officials once again.  Your state motto, adopted in 2006 by then Governor Jeb Bush is none other than "In God We Trust."  Yes, we should all trust in our God, no matter the name, but just as important, we need to trust in ourselves to do what is right for ourselves, our neighbor and our nation by not allowing the lies and deceit to rupture our last threads of dignity.  Register to vote today and do not let it be a #saddayforusa2012.

Is Matt Harvey The Answer For The Mets?

     Dillon Gee is another in a line of injuries for this 2012 Mets team that just keeps finding ways to win.  After losing Mike Pelfrey to Tommy John surgery earlier in the year(Mets fans probably forgot about Big Pelf), the rotation seemed a little unassuming given that John Niese and Dillon Gee were good, but not great starters and nobody knew what they would get out of Johann Santana coming off shoulder surgery of his own.  Then there was the mystery of the Kilimanjaro-climbing R.A. Dickey and how he would grow as a pitcher with a powerless lineup behind him.  The injury to Chris Young earlier this season also put a lot of doubts in most minds, while having only 41 year old Miguel Batista as a fall guy.
     Welcome to the NY Mets 2012 season everyone!  This staff proven that they can pitch with the best of them as Santana has become the number one he used to be, pitching the first no-hitter in club history and Dickey has clearly made a name for himself as one of the top hurlers in the game with a wickedly unhittable knuckler that has left opposing batters clueless.  So as Dillon Gee goes down with having surgery to remove a blood clot from his shoulder, all fans are calling for the Next, triple A phenom Matt Harvey.  Why the big rush to call up a pitcher that can only benefit by a few more AAA starts to fine tune his game?  This is the mystery that leaves one shaking their head.
     Harvey needs to relax, calm down and hone his skills while waiting for his chance in the big leagues.  Batista can be a viable starter for three or four turns, as long as the Mets bullpen gets a lot of rest in between.  Although Harvey could probably be a contributor now, Sandy Alderson should bide his time while waiting for the doctors to complete their assessment of Gee and give a definitive timeline for his return.  As seen on http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa390378&position=P, Harvey's stats are as follows:

eason	Team	W	L	SV	G	GS	IP	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	BABIP	LOB%	GB%	HR/FB	ERA	FIP	xFIP	WAR
2011	Mets (A+)	8	2	0	14	14	76.0	10.89	2.84	0.59	.335	80.2 %			2.37	2.66
2011	Mets (AA)	5	3	0	12	12	59.2	9.65	3.47	0.60	.327	66.3 %			4.53	3.23
2012	Mets (AAA)	7	4	0	18	18	98.1	9.34	3.84	0.64	.301	77.1 %			3.39	3.45

   
     Clearly, the stats are there, but will Alderson and Collins be taking a tremendous risk in calling up a future star now by possibly damaging his psyche if he has a couple bad outings?  I believe they would and it would be wiser for the fan base to look at it just this way.  The time needs to be right for pitchers such as Harvey, Jeurys Familia, and later down the road, Zach Wheeler.
     Fans would love to see their Next right now, but do not realize the damage that could be done by not showing patience. And there remains one thing that Mets fans should know just as well as the next fan, and that is patience.  Fans have been waiting for quite some time to see and experience an exciting team in Flushing.  These young kids that most scouts around the majors believed was one of the worst farm systems around has clearly proven that they belong in the majors.  Maybe Omar Minaya knew what he was doing all along.  It is time now for the fans to enjoy the second half as they did the first: ride the wave and leave the decisions to management.  Allow Johann, R.A., Niese and Young to do what they have been doing to keep their team in the games, and hope that Alderson makes a move or two at the deadline to improve the bullpen and acquire a right-handed power bat(not named Bay).
     This is what will allow the fans to enjoy what has been so far a magical season to date.  There will be time enough for the Harvey's and the Wheeler's of the system to break onto this major league club and win the hearts of fans as well as some ballgames.  To rush Harvey now would only be giving into the notion that the time is now for a club that is only hovering around the final wild card spot and remains 4.5 games back in their division at the break.  The time is not now.  This is not a World Series winning team, although nobody can deny that in the weak NL,  you can completely exclude them from possibly making the World Series.  Relax everyone, you will see Harvey soon enough.  Just remember that you must have faith and trust in the way that Alderson is going to run this team.  Do not let the magic swell your heads to make rash decisions.  As fans the only motto you will ever be able to live by is simply, "You Gotta Believe."  And for 2012, that is exactly what you should be doing.

Delaware...Do You Need a Change?

     Delaware, that small parcel of land that is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean just south of N.J. and north of Maryland has largely been a forgotten player in the world of the political spectrum.  Your fine state has a way of making the most out of your three electoral votes when it comes to the presidential elections.  Clearly, your fine state has taken a legitimate stance when it comes to voting Democratic for quite some time.  Although Joe Biden resided in your state, it is hard to believe that you voted Democratic for no other reason than to change the nation that former President Bush had left.  That is why you followed up the presidential election with putting in place the right Congressman and Senators that would allow Obama to be better suited to complete his job.
     Now more than ever, the nation needs your assistance in getting the word out that this year's election should be no different than 2008.  Your POTUS needs your help and the help of all that want change in the USA.  I am not saying that Mitt Romney is not a smooth businessman or a growing figure in our national spotlight, but as he grows, so do the warts he carries with him.  As you have seen the past four years, President Obama may not be perfect, and not everything he has proposed has been for everyone's benefit.  However, when you look at his accomplishments with the fact that for two of these years, he has met incredible opposition from the GOP, it is even more amazing at what he has done.  For these accomplishments, you can go to http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html and please feel free to share with those that may still want to vote Republican.
     You see, Delaware, it is up to all of us to spread the truth and facts about our POTUS so that many will not be inclined to just vote GOP because of sheer incompetence.  Over the next few months, there will be numerous reports of slander about Obama and his taxing the middle class and our national healthcare, but with the facts, we can set the record straight.  There are several quality information hubs that one can go to for checkable facts and truth before sharing the lies and GOP innuendo that can only hurt all politicians as we move forward.  Websites such as http://factcheck.org/ , http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/07/11/514384/taxes-30-year-low-obama/?mobile=nc, http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/09/extending-middle-class-tax-cuts-98-americans-and-97-small-businesses are just a few of the places where you can get reputable facts that are checked and detailed.
     You have done your part up to this point, but with your Senate primaries coming up on Aug. 14th, are you registered to cast that ballot that will bear the name of your representative for the next six years?  You can visit http://www.delaware.gov/ and click on voter services to find all you need to know about registering and absentee ballots or other info you may need to know.  Also on this site, you can find out who your candidates are for your Senate and House elections and review how they vote for you, their constituent.

By allowing yourself to gain the information needed to vote with confidence, you are also allowing others to help truly change the direction this country is heading.  Just remember that what a politician states may never be truth, but there are ways to check, double-check and call out our elected leaders on their lies and underhandedness.  Do not let this be just another #saddayforusa2012 with an uneducated and lackadaisical approach to running our country.
     Pass your knowledge along to family, friends and others that may not know how to reveal the truth about the way this country is being torn apart by quibbling members of the political parties.  Expose the truth and earn your motto of "Liberty and Independence."  In the end, if we do not, as a people take back our vote and democracy in our fine nation, then there will never be a guarantee of either in the future.

Dickey Gets Screwed

     It's bad enough that, as Sandy Alderson put it on Twitter, that a city of 8 million was outvoted by a city of 800,000 when Pablo Sandoval won the starting spot over David Wright in this years All-Star Game in Kansas City.  But when you have a pitcher that has been far above the rest of the pack as R.A. Dickey has, it is virtually impossible to fathom him not getting the starting nod over Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants in 2012.  What Tony LaRussa is thinking is beyond everyone when it comes to choosing his starter.  The only answer he can give is that Cain is every bit as deserving and he will be pitching to his own catcher, Buster Posey, who I might even mention should most likely not even be starting himself.
     Dickey, whose stats in all categories are better than anyone's in the National League has definitely been screwed by LaRussa and his shallow thinking.  Dickey's stats include a 12-1 record while supporting 123 strikeouts, a 2.40 ERA, and a miserly 0.93 WHIP.  Just a few short weeks ago, Dickey had back to back one hitters and was incredibly unhittable as batters wailed and fluttered at his perfected knuckleball.  Do not get me wrong, Matt Cain and his 9-3 record, 118 strikeouts, 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP are very formidable when having to make a decision.  But there has been nobody on any team in either league who has been absolutely sparkling on the mound as R.A. has while pitching for a team that is dead last in OPS and is tied for 13th in batting average.
     While the All-Star game means something at the end of the year, one would figure that LaRussa would love to start with a knuckler like Dickey for two innings then transition to a hard thrower as Cain for the next two.  The idea that Posey, or any catcher for that matter, would have trouble catching Dickey, is all the more reason to start him.  It would be far better to have a couple of passed balls at the beginning(if that is even the case) while there are no runners on, then later with the possibility of an incredible AL All-Star lineup that includes the like of Cano, Granderson, Fielder, Ortiz and Hamilton circling the bases.  This remains just another in a long line of questionable moves that LaRussa has made throughout his career and, although he has a few rings on his hand, it doesn't make the decision any easier to handle in the N.Y. market.

     Mets fans finally have two All-Stars that they can be purely proud of, and in the end, still feel jaded at the selection process and a managers decision that leaves millions of fans scratching their heads.  R.A. Dickey will never allow the decision to affect him in any way, as it is surely a welcome just for him to be representing the NL in his first All-Star game.  The man who swam across the Mississippi and nearly drowned, climbed Kilimanjaro, and grew up amidst child abuse would never allow LaRussa's snub to unfocus his center.  But be sure of this, R.A.Dickey will come out of this All-Star break more focused than ever.  Dickey does not portray a man that likes to be screwed, although he will never show it.  So, even though Mets fans may disagree with you, Tony, maybe we should thank you for given our knuckler just another reason to rise against the odds.  Possibly, this decision may turn out to be the one to allow the fans the enjoyment of a CY Young Award winner when all is said and done.  Then Mets fans can turn around and say, "screw you, LaRussa!"

Connecticut...Do You Need a Change?

     This country is on the verge of one of the most difficult decisions an election year has imposed on its citizens.  We are a humbled nation that has been amidst a terrible run of high unemployment, incredulous debt, and bi-partisan war on what is truly the best for us as citizens.  Where did this catastrophe begin, and how does it end should be first and foremost in every Americans mind.  Will we allow our children to inherit a broken down shell of a country because our elected officials decided that personal gain and notoriety are more important than truth and value?  Do we need to wait until we are on the verge of being a third world country in order to educate ourselves and rid the nation of the hopeless infighting amongst the major parties?
     It is time Connecticut to register, educate yourself, then vote with authority in all levels of your government.  All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for re-election this year, as well as some Senators, and of course, the POTUS.  You, as a state, have done a fine job in your state house, as well as in your US representatives to allow some backing to the current POTUS.  You need to still cast your next vote wisely, though, as the challenger, Mitt Romney is trying to buy his election through smoke, mirrors, and lies.  According to http://www.270towin.com/states/Connecticut , the state of Connecticut is clearly leaning towards another Democratic presidency, and if that is your choice, so be it.  But remember, all presidents need the help of those around him and by allowing the US House/Senate become GOP, there will be nothing more than a lame-duck POTUS for the next four years.
     Mitt Romney was the father of the ACA(Obamacare) and now is trying to appeal to the public for its dismantling.  That is the nature of both parties instead of working together to enhance the bill, they want the credit for it or it must be destroyed.  Look back at the Bush years, and you will undoubtedly see the strains of war, rising unemployment, and overspending, while the country slowly fell into a recession.  A recession that we are still trying to dig ourselves out of.  Do not let this happen again.  We are a nation of immigrants that came to this land looking for opportunities not afforded to citizens of other countries.  Our freedom and hope of prosperity are what makes us strive to become better.  Do not let the politicians ignore our vote or our passion.

 

     From local to state to federal government, we must be educated and weary of the individuals that are running our lives each and every day.  Let them understand that the underhandedness of those that WE elect will not be tolerated anymore.  Go to http://www.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3179&q=489908 to register and have your voice heard as a member of your great state and nation.  Allow yourself the freedom and responsibility of saying that you have made a difference in 2012.  You can find all information about your state representatives for your district at http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/house.asp and see if they are voting the way you have asked them to or contact them to see if their values and ideas coincide with your own.  Only you, as a voter, can make a difference and help this country and your state strive to become a better place for all that call America home.
     Qui transtulit sustinet, or, "He who is transplanted still sustains" is a motto that is dying with every election we allow to go to waste.  We are all transplanted in one way or another and there may no longer be a guarantee that we will sustain if we allow both of these major parties to work only for themselves.  Do not allow this to be a #saddayforusa2012 by ignoring your right to vote or your right to vote wisely.  You can vote in any POTUS you may want, but by not educating yourself on those that surround him, this country will not move forward.  Incumbents in this country are set in their ways and a new person with new ideas who is attuned to society is needed to help us grow.  Go now, Connecticut, and allow your 7 electoral votes be your own, not the governments'. 

Colorado...Do You Need a Change?

     Colorado is and always has been a swing state that can make a difference with their 9 electoral votes that are up for grabs.  Both Obama and Romney alike will look to your state to help launch a new directive.  Beware, though, Colorado.  Beware of the lies and insidious approach that the leader you pick will carry out.  According to http://www.270towin.com/states/Colorado you are clearly evenly matched with both presidential candidates.  But is it the POTUS ballot that you should be so focused on?  Will this really be THAT important of an election for our next POTUS?  Well simply put, yes and no.  While you are clearly divided on the leader of our country, you must be applauded for the term limits set for your elected officials in all levels of your state government.
     As your records show, there are only a handful of representatives that have approached their term limits.  This could be for one of two reasons.  First, you have grown weary of the broken promises of most of your leaders, or the past officials had met their term and you had no choice but to rid yourselves of them.  You have seven districts that lay claim to your US Representatives, and the GOP has the majority at this time.  Your Senators are both Democratic and one might think that the state of Colorado has a nice balance between the two parties.  Even your state House of Representatives are almost even with Democrats holding the advantage 35-33 over the GOP.  You, Colorado, take the term swing state to the extreme.
     If there was ever a time for you to make a statement it would be in 2012.  Although President Obama is clearly not perfect, look at the state of the nation now compared to the Bush years and you will see a tremendous amount of support in what he has accomplished.  The national healthcare that has been implemented needs to be fine tuned instead of trashed and unemployment has been lowered while our President is trying to upgrade our education as well as keeping jobs in the states.  He has no help though and you must be diligent in your efforts to vote those Senators or House members into office that will help him, or Romney if that is your choice to do their job for our nation.

     The only way to take back our government is to educate ourselves to what we want, then command that your elected officials vote for you, not against your will.  You can go to http://www.colorado.gov/government/government/elected-officials.html to find out who your representatives are in your district and see if they are handling their jobs with your support or disgust.  Contact them and see what they stand for. Ask yourself if the ballot you are going to cast will help the country and your POTUS.  Do you like the way this country is headed?  Is there a reason why you have always been a swing state instead of making a definitive choice between the two major parties?  How will you go about ensuring that your vote will count?  If you need to register to vote, do not wait too long.
     Visit https://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/secuRegVoterIntro.do to vote and cast that vote with certainty. Do not let this be just another #saddayforusa2012.  As one of the primary swing states, your fellow Americans need you to take this election seriously and confidently to ensure the next four years will be better than the last four.  Only you can make that difference.  Do you need a change?  I'll tell you one thing, this country needs a change.  A change from manipulation, secrets, lies and non-bipartisan leadership.  The American public need to put the vote back in our hands before it is too late.  You may live by the motto, Nil sine Numine, "Nothing Without the Deity", but we, as a country, will be nothing without the vote. 

America! It Is Time To Show Your Independence!

     Today is the day that our forefathers believed would live in infamy.  The day that our country was fought for, and won by us, the American people who saw an opportunity to better a life for all as individuals.  On this day, in 1776, a document written by Thomas Jefferson was adopted by our leaders as The Declaration of Independence.  This was our declaration to separate our colonies from Britain and their monarchy.  Eleven years later, our nations delegates provided a system of checks and balances in the form of a three branch government consisting of  executive, legal and legislative branches to ensure that no one person would be able to rule.  This system, while not perfect, has been the basis of our country since, and has clearly given its citizens an opportunity for freedom.  As the nation has grown, this system has given rise to many individuals vying for the same political seats with very different ideas on how this government should be enacted for the benefit of the people.
     Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party candidates, Independents, and any other political party that has surfaced are so far apart on the issues that it is almost impossible to put into place a government that has the public's interest at heart.  Who do we believe anymore?  Where is the dignity and truth that elected officials need to put forth in order for the citizens of this great country to choose the right candidate for the job?  Simply put, there is none.  Mitt Romney was the creator of the national healthcare reform that President Obama has now put into place.  Yet, because it was Obama and not himself, his platform must dispute, ridicule and delude the public into believing that it is nothing more than a tax on America.  Politicians can no longer agree even to disagree and have put themselves in the position to never get along and this is where the public must be weary.
    When you register to vote this year, and head to the polls, ask yourself these questions before you place your ballot. Has my elected representative voted on my behalf during his/her term?  Have they been truthful with the constituents on laws, referendums, and their personal history?  Does this representative or senator want to change the country or is he/she running for personal gain?  Have the representative(s) in my district simply been in their seat too long and become complacent that name recognition alone will vote them in to office?  Do your senators or representatives back your POTUS and want to help eliminate the most pressing issues that we face today (eg. deficit, unemployment, healthcare)?
     If you are the type of person that is content with the way this country is being run today, then hopefully you will look further and educate yourself BEFORE this election in November.  This may be one of the most important elections to date in this country and you are needed to cast a ballot that will determine a substantial upswing or downward spiral for this country.  Whatever state you live, you can go to your state's home page and research your representatives and senators that are up for re-election this year.  Find out how they vote for you, and if they are right for the change that is needed in this nation.  Do not let this next vote be the one that got away.  Obama needs help as a POTUS, and if Romney gets elected, he will need help as well.  The POTUS can not do it by himself.
     Do you like the fact that we have a deficit at over $16Trillion dollars, an unemployment rate over 9%, a national healthcare plan that may not be perfect, but can use someone to polish it, instead of dismantle it, and politicians that refuse to work together for you, the citizen?  Do you want this country to keep going in the wrong direction, instead of doing what our forefathers wanted us to do, and have a choice and opportunity to make a difference at the polls?  Them educate yourself and tell your local, state and federal politicians that you will no longer tolerate their falsehoods and empty promises.  Let them understand that if the newly elected officials do not work for you, the constituent, that in 2, 4 or 6 years, you will use your voice to vote them out also.  This is OUR country, and we need to take it back.  Do not let this be just another #saddayforusa2012.  Vote, America, and take back your independence from the same ones who have taken it from you; the government of the United States of America!