Dear Representative Henderson,When do you think we will get a light rail system or decent bus system here in Idaho? I live in north Idaho and it would be so easy up here because we only need 2 routes for a light rail system and it would ease the burden on our roads and make us more energy efficient. One route would go alone I-90 to connect us to Spokane, WA and Montana and the other route would go along Highway 95 to reach the fast growing communities north and help with all the wrecks on the very busy commute route. Please put in a good word for getting Idaho smart, community focused and energy efficient. Thank you, Amylouise Adira
Hello! Well I am very glad that my letter to the editor was published in my local paper and the paper of the county to our north (I got an email from a campaign friend living in Sandpoint). Here is my letter:
RECOVERY: How wise is rejection?
Congress recently passed the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act to prevent the U.S. from sinking into a second Great Depression. In celebration of Idaho values, I would like to suggest that Idaho not partake in the benefits of this recovery.
It is clear from letters to the editor and state and federal voting records that Idahoans enjoy poverty of every kind, from the poverty of ideas to poverty of economy. Idahoans seem to love government buildings that wastefully consume excessive energy instead of streamlined buildings full of energy-saving retrofits installed by employed locals. We enjoy poor roads and crumbling bridges instead of jobs that improve them.
Why fix schools when we are nearly successful with being last in the nation for quality of education? If we improve school buildings to be more cost effective and energy-efficient, the students and teachers might get the wrong idea that we value them.
Healthcare is another area we don't need help. Being sick and without healthcare is our right and we don't want data entry jobs to input medical records into computers or have energy-efficient hospitals. If we employ those people and fix the system, too many would enjoy employment, and if we improve the energy efficiency of buildings and streamline paperwork, it will bring the cost of healthcare down. How can we possibly enjoy a good depression if we stay healthy?
As the rest of America sinks to our level of joblessness and foreclosure they moan and complain. Here in Idaho, a state that has voted Republican for decades just so we could successfully abolish the middle class, clean air and water, and dependable infrastructure, we value our right to fail our population. It is important for Idaho to see the wealthy get tax breaks while we salute their success from the doubled unemployment lines. We revel in the culture wars that encourage citizens to leave the packing up of possessions in foreclosed homes long enough to vote to thwart the civil liberties of neighbors.
Idaho has a plan to fully live out the trickle down theory of economics until every Idahoan has lost their job, failed their children through lack of education, and has no more air to breathe; we don't need the pesky feds coming up with money for jobs. They can keep their "change;" our status quo is failing us just fine. We welcome a Great Depression of our own making, so "thanks, but no thanks" to economic recovery.
AMYLOUISE ADIRA
Post Falls
3/9/09
It's really cool to see that this website is on going and continuing to be a place for connecting the people to activities and events... continuing support for the vision of change as proposed by President-elect Barack Obama.
Sunday, December 14th- I attended a community house meeting whereby we discussed issues that concern us, and planning of things we can do within our community to make a difference for the better. We came up with some things that we can take action on immediately, such as helping out at a shelter/safe house for battered women and children. We'll be participating in expanding the facility so that a few more families can get off the waiting list and into a safe environment.
Some of the members of the group are acquaintances of senators and other congressional reps. These group members have now written to these acquaintances regarding such issues as
Aberdeen * Acequia * Albion * American Falls * Ammon * Ashton * Bancroft * Bellevue * Blackfoot * Boise * Bonners Ferry * Burley * Caldwell * Carey * Cascade * Challis * Chubbuck * Coeur d Alene * Cottonwood * Council * Dietrich * Dover * Downey * Driggs * Eagle * Elk City * Emmett * Fairfield * Franklin * Fruitland * Garden City * Garden Valley * Genesee * Glenns Ferry * Gooding * Grandjean * Grace * Grangeville * Hagerman * Hailey * Harrison * Hauser * Hayden * Heyburn * Hidden Springs * Horseshoe * Idaho City * Idaho Falls * Jerome * Juliaetta * Kamiah * Kellogg * Ketchum * Kimberly * Kooskia * Kuna * Lava Hot Springs * Lewiston * Mackay * Malad * Malta * Marsing * McCall * McCammon * Melba * Meridian * Middleton * Montpelier * Moscow * Mountain Home * Murray * Nampa * New Meadows * New Plymouth * Nezperce * Orofino * Payette * Pierce * Pocatello * Post Falls * Potlatch * Preston * Priest River * Rathdrum * Rexburg * Richfield * Rigby * Riggins * Rupert * Salmon * Sandpoint * Shelley * Shoshone * Soda Springs * St Anthony * St Maries * Stanley * Star * Stites * Sugar City * Sun Valley * Twin Falls * Wallace * Wardner * Weippe * Weiser * Wendell * Whitebird * Wilder
Idaho * Idaho Bible Study * Obama for Idaho * State of Idaho
I am getting reports from Americans abroad that the VATICAN is calling loyal members of God's universal church 'heretics and sinners' for voting for Barack Obama as President of the United States.
GOD BLESS AMERICA - This is why we have separation of Church and State in our political system.
The real sin is the fact the Vatican allowed child molesters to reach their highest ranks of ministry. Where were the shepherds during this period? Where were the Bishops? Where were the Cardinals?
In the eighties, POPE JOHN PAUL II, in a speech given to faithful Catholics around the world, stated; "THE NEXT POPE WILL BE THE ANTICHRIST." The pope he was referring to is known today as POPE BENEDICT XVI - a NAZI DURING THE HOLOCAUST.
Perhaps John Paul was right. Who knows? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, my message to Benedict is "Leave this country in peace. You have no authority here. This is not a Roman Catholic Empire or a Vatican mini-kingdom. THIS IS AMERICA - A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS, DEFEND WITH THEIR VOTE, THE RIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE TO BE FREE."
For those who were hurt by the words of this pope and other high-ranking roman catholic bishops, MAY I REFER YOU TO THE 2000 YEAR-OLD TEXT WRITTEN BY THE APOSTLE JOHN - 1 JOHN 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and demonstrate to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
May all understand that Jesus did not come to judge, but to save the world. Use of sin as a method to control people with fear was abolished at the resurrection of THE JEWISH MESSIAH - YEHOSHUA; known as MELCHIZEDEK; son of ELOHIM; of the seed of DAVID; and powered by THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE MESSENGER
The final hours are at our doorstep. I'm so ready to see the planning for the inauguration of Senator Obama. This is the moment we have all been anticipating. All of the calls, the letter writing, talking to friends, bumper stickers and yard signs are in place. Now, it's time to vote.
I keep thinking, who do I know in a swing state. On Friday, I called my 82 year old Godmother in Florida. She was more lively than I've heard her in years. She proudly told me that she went to vote early and took her neighbor who can't drive. They went twice because the lines were too long the first time. So many of us have stepped out of our comfort zones to support Barack. I had never given money to a presidential election before. It feels good to have done something.
I look forward to sharing a grand celebration here with this larger community on January 20, 2009!
Obama ~ Leadership for the 21st Century, written by best-selling author Victoria C. DePaul, is now available for a limited time as an Ebook download at no charge. This book will be available as a pdf download or readers can view it online via Scribd. The book is available at www.ebookobama.com .
Note: The book will be available in hard copy in 2009. The author is still looking for quotes from citizens for inclusion in this project. If you have a statement that you would like to be added to this work please enter your thoughts in the Comments section found on the Contact Us Page at www.ebookobama.com.
I was pleased to read that Christopher Buckley, the son of William F. Buckley, has endorsed Senator Obama. In his own right, Christopher writes for the National Review. I am guessing his decision to go public with this endorsement has not won him many friends at work. (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/a-buckley-endorses-obama/) I respect him for taking a stand.
It renews my sense of hope each time I hear of someone sitting down and making a reasoned decision about who to support based on facts instead of based on sound bites. Of course, I am happier when their decision matches mine, but that is less important.
Let's see how many more people we can encourage to let the facts inform their decisions.
I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do. --Helen Keller
Please do what you can do!
It feels good to be back on the phone for Senator Obama. In January when I started, it felt awkward at first. I'd just read a bit about Barack's policies and half of the Audacity of Hope. He had touched my heart and caused me to leave the comfort of home and call stranger after stranger.
Now, nin months later, I'm back on the phone. This time with more conviction than ever, but also with more comfort that the person who answers the phone is another American just like me who wants the best for the country. Sometimes they hang up without giving me a hearing. They think I'm selling cable or cheaper credit cards. It's ok. If I can answer a question or encourage a few more people to get out and vote for Barack on November, it is worth it.
At the end of the day, I want to be able to look in the mirror and know that I've done what I can to participate in the democratic process.
We are not quite there, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Obama did a good job in the debate tonight. I was glad that major attacks were avoided. I hope that both sides will back off of the increasing attacks. If anyone is reading this. I'd like to register a strong request. Please do not take the low road now. My initial decision to support Obama was largely based on embracing the idea that this would be a positive campaign. That is a part of why I chose him over Clinton. Please prove me right.
1%, or 1 vote out of 100There have been 12 Presidential elections that were decided by less than a 1% margin; meaning if less than 1% of the voters in certain states had changed their mind to the other candidate the outcome of the entire election would have been different. More than half were decided by less than a 2% margin.
In 2004, 57,787 votes would have given us President Kerry.In 2000, 269 votes would have given us President GoreIn 1996, 575,515 votes would have given us President Dole.
From ABC News:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html
=========="Squeakers"Ned PotterABC NewsSeptember 29, 2008How close have Presidential elections been? Closer, perhaps, than we ever guessed. Mike Sheppard, a grad student in statistics at Michigan State, has done a mathematical exercise that shows it.He ran a computer program to answer this question: "What is the smallest number of total votes that need to be switched from one candidate to another, and from which states, to affect the outcome of the election?"The answer: in some years, very, very few. Take a look at his analysis HERE. It shows the powerful interaction between the popular vote and the electoral college.[...]==========
Full article here:http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html
Detailed analysis here, including colored maps:https://www.msu.edu/~sheppa28/elections.html-Mike Sheppard
When friends ask why I support Senator Obama, I tell them. Then I say, don't take my word for it, do your own research. At the end of the day, I believe that if people know how Barack Obama stands on the issues they can make an informed decision. My goal is that each voter makes a decision based on facts not on misconceptions.
In that vein, it is informative to hear Sarah Palin talk about the issues. You can watch her recent interviews with Katy Couric at the link below. Please watch both the interview on foreign policy as well as domestic issues.
The link is http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476173.shtml
