This is a diary I thought I would never write, because today I turn my back on one of my heros, the good doctor of Surfside, Ron Paul. But the tide is changing on the middle coast of Texas, and I am throwing my hat in the ring behind Shane Sklar. Because at the end of the day, in my neck of the woods, cowboys still trump conservatives. It is finally time for Brazoria to play it's hand, and send a Democrat by the name of Shane Sklar to the Babylon of Washington from the place where Texas began.
The Sklar Clan
I give Shane a snowball's chance in Hell, but since that seems to be currently freezing over, here we go. Shane is from around these parts, a fourth generation rancher in the part of Texas where that still means something. He has even served as the Executive Director of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) for the last four years. That carries serious weight since we still do ranch, and even still have cattle rustlers, if you can believe it.
He was the go to guy when the mad cow scare cropped up, and was behind making sure the 2002 Federal Farm Bill required country-of-origin labeling for retail beef. Look, if you want to buy shady cow parts from England, that's your business, but I prefer to eat stock I know is from around these parts. He also is a good conservative Democrat on other issues as well:
* For the small business owners and workers -- especially the guys with dirty hands and the moms who go home with aching feet.
* For the farmers and ranchers who are trying to eke out a profit from the land.
* For the children and teachers who need better schools and the seniors and veterans who deserve better health care.
* For those who are the first to respond when trouble calls -- our firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services.
See, we make 50% of the world's plastic in our district, which means there are some serious petro-chemical plants. I know for a fact none of these are being properly protected from the "evil-doers." We also have a nuclear plant hidden out in Matagorda County, so we need serious first responders in our district. Unfortunately, Ron Paul's no government policy just does not jive with our needs.
And Shane is cut from the Sam Rayburn stock, not really a big fan of K Street as it were.
There's an old saying that you can't clean up the water until you get the hogs from the creek. - Shane Sklar
This is also why his campaign is flat broke, and the DNCC pretends like this race isn't even happening. Trust me, you want to send shockwaves through Texas? Send Ron Paul back to Surfside, people will stand up and listen.
Shane Sklar is the prototype of Democrat that will help bring the South and Texas back into the Democratic fold after our 40 years of wandering. Like most of us in these parts, we are avid hunters, and Shane might be the only Democrat with a Hook and Bullet Club. He also understanda Texas and Texans, and is not just using our image as a political gambit like certain yankees from Connecticut.
"When I am in Congress, I'll fight to preserve the way of life that is so important to families here in the 14th Congressional District," said Sklar. "We've long had a special relationship with this land, and I intend to make sure we can pass down our traditions to our children and grandchildren."
Here is where Shane Sklar stands:
Education
In order to meet the challenges of the 21st century we need a 21st century education system. For too long our country has not invested enough resources in teachers and in the classroom. While the goal of local control and accountability in the Leave No Child Behind Act were noble the unfunded mandates places on states and localities are unacceptable.
As our next Congressman I will fight to put more resources in the classroom and unlike my opponent who advocates for the abolishment of the Department of Education I will be a 21st century champion of education for working families. I will fight to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to go to college by working to reduce the interest rates on student loans.
Agriculture
We need more farmers and ranchers serving in Congress. I am a 4th generation rancher who proudly worked for Congressman Chet Edwards and have served for the last four years as the Executive Director of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) earning a reputation for innovation and hard work.
Under my leadership, ICA's membership doubled at a time when most agricultural groups saw their numbers shrink. I played a key role during the controversies over BSE commonly known as "Mad Cow" disease. The media relied upon my in-depth knowledge of the problem and sound, reasonable input in keeping the public informed about the issue.
I am proud to announce that my candidacy has been endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND.
Kenneth Dierschke, president of AGFUND and Texas Farm Bureau said: "Currently, there are no active farmers and ranchers in the Texas Congressional Delegation. When Shane Sklar goes to Washington, he'll take along a great understanding of agricultural issues."
The Economy
Of all the nation's congressional districts, the 14th District of Texas has to have one of our nation's most diverse economies. It has almost two hundred miles of coastline that generates billions of dollars from petroleum exploration and production, shipping, tourism and commercial fishing. Inland, we have thousands of hard-working farmers and ranchers who play a big role in feeding America and the world. In the Galvestson area, the economic impact of NASA and UTMB are almost immeasurable. And throughout, thousands of business owners -- from the smallest to some of the biggest -- generate jobs and tax revenues that support our thriving cities.
As our Congressman, I will fight to keep funding for our district, promote our district to businesses throughout the country and world. Too many trade policies are wrong-headed and are merely economic development plans for other countries. I will fight unfair trade deals that ship American jobs and business to other countries and hurt Texas families. I will work for trade agreements that streamline the export of our agriculture and manufacturing products.
Gun Owner's Rights
I grew up hunting with my mom and dad. I proudly support the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms guaranteed to Americans by our Constitution.
I'm a Member of the NRA and I will be a supporter of the rights of gun owners and sportsmen in Congress. I will not support any new laws that restrict the rights of law abiding gun owners. We need to enforce the laws on the books which already restrict gun sales and ownership to criminals and law-breakers.
Health Care
The problem with the rising cost of health care and health insurance today can largely be blamed on the special interests in Washington. Huge health care interests and pharmaceutical drug companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars contributing to candidates and lobbying Congress to prevent any reforms.
In Congress, I would work to make this new prescription drug benefit through Medicare easier to understand and work to make changes to hold the drug companies' feet to the fire. There is a need for more provisions to hold drug companies accountable and there needs to be more information for seniors who want to sign up for the prescription drug benefit.
We also need tax incentives for small business to help them provide good health care plans to their employees. This will help their businesses attract and keep their best workers and it will be good for the families who work in so many small businesses in Texas.
Fiscal Responsibility
The greatest threat to our country is the fact that as Senator John McCain likes to say "we are spending like drunken sailors." We have gone from surpluses to massive debt. We need to get back to fiscal discipline, balanced budgets, less government and the old Texas principle of you cannot spend what you do not have.
In Congress I will align myself with a group known as the "Blue Dog" Democrats. These are a few dozen fiscally conservative Democrats who work tirelessly to make sure we "pay as we go" and have a sound fiscal policy.
I believe we can do this without raising taxes - in fact what we need are tax cuts for working Americans - all while making the proper investments into infrastructure, education, defense and health care.
Energy Policy
In order for the American economy to grow we need to continue to explore, extricate and make available cheap energy solutions. I support the federal government's R&D programs on alternative energy sources. With the turmoil in the Middle East, we must have a sustainable "home-grown" energy policy including expanded off shore drilling in the Gulf that will keep Texas' economy strong.
Unlike some I do not believe that we have to choose between good jobs and clean air and healthy habitats. This is a false choice. We can balance an energy policy that creates Texas jobs and promotes our industries with protecting Texas's rich wildlife habitats, abundant rivers and vital coastline.
Current Endorsements: Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND.,Select Milk Producers, Texas Pest Management Association, Farm Credit Council, Action Committee for Rural Electrification, Texas State Teachers Association, National Education Association, Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO - COPE, Sheet Metal Workers, Teamsters, I.B. E. W., United Steelworkers, International Longshoremens Association, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Transit Workers
So I know this race will never get front paged ( this is a dare btw), but find it your heart to find out more about Shane Sklar, he represents the best of Texas. And if you want to stab a dagger into the Republican machine of Texas, help Shane help get the hogs out of the creek.
Donate
Since he is doing this with shoelaces and bailing wire, and the Democratic Party has turned it's back this race, any help will be great.
Help send my hero home to Surfside, so we might find a new one in Shane Sklar.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/...
Web: www.shanesklar.com
God Bless Texas, and Long Live the Republic.