God Bless America?

Did you know today is the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer? Oh, stop rolling your eyes. Our country desperately needs all of the prayers it can get right now. The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. What? Are those crazy Christian fanatics at it again? No, this annual look to the heavens was actually created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress (PDF), and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

"What about separation of church and state?" you worry (or in the case of Florida, the separation of church and plate). Where in the Constitution does it say as a nation we can't pray for divine guidance? Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history. Benjamin Franklin observed "the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men... and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

I would submit that a nation can certainly fall without it. Some would say that America is on a precipice right now, very much in need of inspired aid.

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The Wisdom of King Solomon

Wow, I’m kind of impressed. Mitt Romney has left the race.

 “In this time of war,” he has decided to “stand aside for the good of the country,” and the good of the party so that the Republicans can defeat the Democrats.

You’ve got to admire that. True, he suffered a crushing blow on Super Tuesday with John McCain’s decisive lead, but I’m trying to be less cynical and believe that this was, at least in part, a selfless act. 

McCain has lost a formidable opponent, but he is still opposed by a passionate conservative political movement in his own party.  Hillary Clinton knows a little about that, since a passionate anti-war movement opposes her in her party, a situation that should only strengthen Barack Obama’s position.

Now, if the Democrats can learn something here. I pray that Obama and Clinton are able to conduct themselves with civility as they continue down the rock-strewn path of campaigning. If only they can step over those rocks and resist the temptation to throw them. John McCain is suddenly looking very presidential and both Democrats must immediately drop any inclination to pettiness or smallness of spirit. (And Hillary, stop the eye rolling and smirks; they do not become you, Dear.)

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I Wish I Could Quit You, Ron Paul

Christine Smith won the Libertarian primaries not just in California, but in most of the country holding Libertarian primaries.
In covering the Libertarian views, I wanted to share this
video where Christine Smith was interviewed. It’s a good video, and it also goes into what the Libertarian party is really all about.

The big news over the weekend was Mitt Romney bowing out, thus leaving the GOP nomination up to Ron Paul and John McCain. 

You know, this puts me in a serious dilemma. Do I remain with one candidate, or switch to another?

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Four Ways to Spend Forty Million Dollars

I just listened to Mitt Romney's attempt to save face while suspending his campaign. In bowing out while trumpeting supposedly conservative values he cast aspersions at the French, Great Britain and most of Europe. He played the old broke down tunes about single welfare mothers, the threat of gay marriage and the Liberal plot to destroy American Culture (whatever that is.) I have no animosity toward Romney and think he is further evidence of the greatness of America - where else can a man spend $40 million to scratch an itch?

-Chris McConnell is a bookseller, freelance writer, former high school English teacher and odd jobber who lives in La Jolla.

The Final Four, Commercials, and a Missing Initiative

So, we're in the Final Four! The Democrats are bringing out Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton; and the Republicans have John McCain and Mitt Romney up for nomination. Of course, it won't be until March that we find out the Libertarian candidate or July for the Green Party candidate, but for now we have at least four candidates.

And being in the top four, this seemed the perfect time for Mitt Romney to buy ads during the Super Bowl, which he did. I will admit, I was highly disappointed in the ad his campaign chose. Rather than state his stance, the chosen ad instead bashed on Clinton. Shame on you, Mr. Romney! On the flip side, Coca-Cola's political ad was an interesting and welcome addition! The premise was that with their soda, ANY group can get along.

If this is the case, then all Americans need to buy each member of the three branches of government a 12-pack of their favorite soda to share. It might work!

In South Bay, Chula Vista residents are voting on changing the position of city attorney to an elected position rather than the currently appointed position.

After months of fighting, over 20,000 signatures, and even the city suing itself to stop this initiative that the citizens are requesting, the initiative was supposed to be on this ballot. Instead, back on January 16th, the city postponed the vote until November's election. This, of course, has made a lot of folks even more upset.

Now, some may wonder why the citizens of Chula Vista have been fighting so long to be allowed to nominate, rather than appoint, a city attorney. The idea behind it is checks and balances. In theory, an elected attorney will not be indebted to those who appoint him or her to the office, and thus would work more for the city itself.

Personally, I think it’s also backlash after seeing what happened with San Diego's corruption, and an attempt to ensure that Chula Vista never has that kind of scandal drop into the laps of the city's residents.

Finally on a lighter note in Imperial Beach, I wanted to congratulate the city council for approving a new skate park, thus giving the youth in San Diego's South Bay another safe spot to play and keep healthy. Let's hope they get the remaining donations needed to build and complete the park.

-Steven Garrett is a professional food blogger who lives in Chula Vista.

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“I’m a Republican. Gasp!”

Jack Bauer for President!  What?  He’s not running?  Dang!  Well, maybe he will be tomorrow.  After all, a lot can happen in 24 hours…

Before I reveal my political slant, I want you to know that I’m open-minded and would love to hear YOUR thoughts.  Feel free to present your case.  As long as you don’t call me a fat, ugly cow I’ll listen.  No need to insult the cows.  The end of my blog should be the beginning of a fun discussion!

My editor asked me: “If the election were tomorrow, who would you vote for?”  My vote today goes to Mitt Romney.  I’m really interested in Ron Paul; however, I fear my vote would be wasted.  I don’t think he’ll win the primary and I want to make sure we get a strong candidate who has a fighting chance against the powerful Democrat Machine.

Yeah, you heard me…I’m a Republican. Gasp!

I like that Romney has shown leadership and accomplishments in both private enterprise and public service.  He sees a problem and fixes it, while his counterpart career-politicians sit around debating or throwing money at it.  He built a hugely successful company and turned around the 2002 Olympics, which faced financial crisis before his arrival.  Our country is in need of rescue again.

A recent poll shows that concern about our economy tops the list of important issues for both Democrats and Republicans.  Romney balanced the Massachusetts budget every year as governor and has a sound understanding of economics.  America is clamoring for change and Romney appears to know how to make it happen.  

I like Romney’s stance on immigration, health care and education - just three of my hot buttons.  There is so much more for us to talk about, but I’ve been told to keep this blog short or else I’ll be shot. (Editor's note: I never said I would shoot them. I said I would meet them in the back alley of KPBS.)

We have some fascinating months ahead of us.  The general election isn’t tomorrow, but we San Diegans have the opportunity to submit a primary vote and send a message to the rest of the country next Tuesday.  Let your voice be heard!

If you judge a person by his “fruits” then Romney looks ripe for the presidency. And who do I think Romney’s running-mate should be? Jack Bauer, of course.

 
-Trina Boice is an author and mother of four who lives in Carlsbad.