I love a great view. It is hard to beat a summer evening standing on a deck overlooking the Missouri river. A breathtaking sight, but completely hidden to anyone in the valley. It’s all in where you’re standing. Since becoming chairman of the ND GOP three months ago, I have stood back and watched, listened, and thought. Now it’s time to say something.
Once there was a boy who wanted to be a soldier in the army when he grew up. I thought it was cute. He graduated from High School and joined the army. I thought it was a good choice. On October 28, I will watch my nephew, John, board a plane for Iraq. It’s hard to know what to think.
In the words of Thomas Paine, “…these are the times that try men’s souls...” And they are. In times of war and crisis, the character of patriotism is tested. But patriotism is also an everyday virtue which requires”… education supplemented by self-interest.” I am writing to do some education.
First I’d invite those down in the valley whining about the “bleak landscape” to come up and see for themselves. I can’t buy this patently liberal viewpoint packaged as an “independent perspective.” We North Dakotans can send out a strong message to independent voters. Consider the facts. The view from here isn’t so bleak.
ND Republicans hold a majority in the legislature thanks to a strong grass roots organization; any lost ground is due to over $500,000 of out-of-state contributions raised by the democrats state party.
Because of the policies of a Republican administration, incomes are growing faster than the National Average. 25,000 new jobs have been created.
As a result of a thriving economy, the GOP passed record support for education at all levels.
The largest tax relief in ND history was passed –120 million dollars.
An enormously popular and widely effective Governor will lead the GOP ticket.
If the Republican Presidential candidates aren’t exciting enough, tune in to the Democratic debates for entertainment. Through the digressions and diatribes I have asked myself, “Where are these folks from? Where is Simon when we need him?” No American idols here.
In contrast, I’ve had some interactions with my dad and my father-in-law. Both agree that there are problems but refuse to take life in America for granted. They haven’t forgotten when an oppressive regime was a real threat.
It takes sacrifice and resolve to preserve freedom. May I remind you that there have been no terrorist attacks on American soil since 9/ll. Many attempts have been thwarted thanks to the vigilance and courage of those sworn by sacred oath to defend this country.
Patriotism is not old-fashioned; it’s a virtue as worthy as justice . Not always popular, it is always necessary.
The tears will come as I say good-bye to John. But these words will be there, too.
“I’m proud to be an American..where at least I know I’m free…”
As we prepare to elect the next President consider this-- The world needs more than a daydream believer or a homecoming queen.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
In case you missed it, Forum Editorial: Democrats' sour notes predictable
North Dakotans who grasp the astonishing progress the state has made in the past seven years will welcome Gov. John Hoeven’s decision to seek a third four-year term. Democrats, whose party loyalty tends to warp their judgment (just like Republicans with similar blind allegiance to party), will react as expected: petty and rigidly partisan.
Hoeven and Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple will be on the ballot in 2008. If the successful Republican team wins, Hoeven will make history as the only governor to be elected to three four-year terms. Democratic Gov. William Guy served 12 years, but in two two-year terms and two four-year terms.
The Democrats’ reaction to the governor’s announcement hit all the right notes, if one is a Democrat first and a North Dakotan second. Hired party mouthpieces and legislative leaders tried to blame the governor for rising property taxes (a local matter), a perceived population drain (slowed and just about halted during Hoeven’s tenure) and a lack of leadership.
That last one is really nonsense. Hoeven, after all, is the governor who challenged the mossback leadership of his own party in order to secure mandated, sustainable pay raises for public school teachers. He relentlessly pursued his “centers of excellence” program, which has become the seedbed for growing focused world-class university research.
In concert with enlightened legislators on both sides of the political aisle the governor championed a comprehensive energy development incentive package, which is a model for the nation. Shortly after his first election victory he worked hand in glove with North Dakota’s Democratic congressional delegation – and against the Republican White House – on a new farm bill, which turned out to be one of the best farm bills ever cobbled together.
Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, is flirting with a challenge to Hoeven, having formed an exploratory committee. In reacting to the governor’s announcement, the veteran senator said he was disappointed Hoeven “is not doing more with his leadership potential and position.” Of course, there’s always more to do. But is it so difficult for Democrats to recognize and acknowledge that the governor has done quite a lot with his leadership position?
North Dakotans consistently give the governor approval ratings near
80 percent. They have a better understanding of Hoeven’s dedication than do a handful of Democratic partisans. Regarding the governor’s performance, Democrats couldn’t be more out of step with the people of North Dakota.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
Hoeven and Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple will be on the ballot in 2008. If the successful Republican team wins, Hoeven will make history as the only governor to be elected to three four-year terms. Democratic Gov. William Guy served 12 years, but in two two-year terms and two four-year terms.
The Democrats’ reaction to the governor’s announcement hit all the right notes, if one is a Democrat first and a North Dakotan second. Hired party mouthpieces and legislative leaders tried to blame the governor for rising property taxes (a local matter), a perceived population drain (slowed and just about halted during Hoeven’s tenure) and a lack of leadership.
That last one is really nonsense. Hoeven, after all, is the governor who challenged the mossback leadership of his own party in order to secure mandated, sustainable pay raises for public school teachers. He relentlessly pursued his “centers of excellence” program, which has become the seedbed for growing focused world-class university research.
In concert with enlightened legislators on both sides of the political aisle the governor championed a comprehensive energy development incentive package, which is a model for the nation. Shortly after his first election victory he worked hand in glove with North Dakota’s Democratic congressional delegation – and against the Republican White House – on a new farm bill, which turned out to be one of the best farm bills ever cobbled together.
Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, is flirting with a challenge to Hoeven, having formed an exploratory committee. In reacting to the governor’s announcement, the veteran senator said he was disappointed Hoeven “is not doing more with his leadership potential and position.” Of course, there’s always more to do. But is it so difficult for Democrats to recognize and acknowledge that the governor has done quite a lot with his leadership position?
North Dakotans consistently give the governor approval ratings near
80 percent. They have a better understanding of Hoeven’s dedication than do a handful of Democratic partisans. Regarding the governor’s performance, Democrats couldn’t be more out of step with the people of North Dakota.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
In case you missed it, here's what the Minot Daily News thinks:
Hoeven will make history
OK, so it’s not officially official yet, but Gov. John Hoeven will seek a third term in office.Hoeven, 50, announced Tuesday that senior aide Don Larson has taken a leave of absence to run Hoeven’s re-election campaign. Hoeven will make an official re-election announcement later this year. Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple will remain on the ticket with Hoeven.It’s good news for North Dakota.Hoeven has been a strong leader for the state during his two terms, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue if he’s elected again.So far, Hoeven has no official challengers. Fargo state Sen. Tim Mathern is the only Democrat to declare that he is considering a bid for the party’s endorsement for governor. Mathern could have some support in his home territory if he decides to run, and he might do better than Hoeven’s 2004 opponent, Joe Satrom, who received less than 30 percent of the vote. But it’s hard to see Mathern defeating the popular Hoeven.No North Dakota governor has been elected to three four-year terms. Barring any unforeseen circumstances between now and November 2008, we fully expect Hoeven to be the first.
OK, so it’s not officially official yet, but Gov. John Hoeven will seek a third term in office.Hoeven, 50, announced Tuesday that senior aide Don Larson has taken a leave of absence to run Hoeven’s re-election campaign. Hoeven will make an official re-election announcement later this year. Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple will remain on the ticket with Hoeven.It’s good news for North Dakota.Hoeven has been a strong leader for the state during his two terms, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue if he’s elected again.So far, Hoeven has no official challengers. Fargo state Sen. Tim Mathern is the only Democrat to declare that he is considering a bid for the party’s endorsement for governor. Mathern could have some support in his home territory if he decides to run, and he might do better than Hoeven’s 2004 opponent, Joe Satrom, who received less than 30 percent of the vote. But it’s hard to see Mathern defeating the popular Hoeven.No North Dakota governor has been elected to three four-year terms. Barring any unforeseen circumstances between now and November 2008, we fully expect Hoeven to be the first.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Don Larson Joins Hoeven Committee
9/25/07
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Don Larson has left his position in the Governor’s Office to manage the governor’s re-election campaign. Larson, a Minot native, has served on Hoeven’s senior staff for the past three years working in communications, legislative relations and policy development. Hoeven will make his official re-election announcement later this fall.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Don Larson has left his position in the Governor’s Office to manage the governor’s re-election campaign. Larson, a Minot native, has served on Hoeven’s senior staff for the past three years working in communications, legislative relations and policy development. Hoeven will make his official re-election announcement later this fall.
Legislator engages in radical partisanship
Kyle Handegard Fargo Commentary - 09/23/2007
It’s unfortunate that Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, N.D., (letter of Sept. 11) has chosen to echo the same radical partisanship to North Dakotans that has paralyzed Washington, D.C., in recent years.
Gov. John Hoeven is doing things right, starting with jobs and the economy. Under his leadership, North Dakota has entirely changed its approach to economic development. Our state has created 25,000 new jobs and seen economic growth across the board, including in manufacturing, energy, valueadded agriculture and technology-based businesses. These jobs are raising wages and income, while creating a climate of opportunity in North Dakota not seen in decades.
And it doesn’t stop there. In the last legislative session alone, the governor’s policies made possible more than $100 million in property tax relief, $100 million in K-12 education funding and $90 million in support for higher education, scholarships and other programs to help hold the line on tuition for our younger people.
In the field of renewable energy, ethanol production will soon increase more than tenfold, to about a half-billion gallons, with more on the way. Wind energy production will go from near zero to more than 600 megawatts. At the same time -- and without a tax increase -- North Dakota has been able to devote an unprecedented $100 million more in the current budget to help seniors, children and people with disabilities.
Rep. Conrad needs to look around our state and cut the political sniping.
It’s unfortunate that Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, N.D., (letter of Sept. 11) has chosen to echo the same radical partisanship to North Dakotans that has paralyzed Washington, D.C., in recent years.
Gov. John Hoeven is doing things right, starting with jobs and the economy. Under his leadership, North Dakota has entirely changed its approach to economic development. Our state has created 25,000 new jobs and seen economic growth across the board, including in manufacturing, energy, valueadded agriculture and technology-based businesses. These jobs are raising wages and income, while creating a climate of opportunity in North Dakota not seen in decades.
And it doesn’t stop there. In the last legislative session alone, the governor’s policies made possible more than $100 million in property tax relief, $100 million in K-12 education funding and $90 million in support for higher education, scholarships and other programs to help hold the line on tuition for our younger people.
In the field of renewable energy, ethanol production will soon increase more than tenfold, to about a half-billion gallons, with more on the way. Wind energy production will go from near zero to more than 600 megawatts. At the same time -- and without a tax increase -- North Dakota has been able to devote an unprecedented $100 million more in the current budget to help seniors, children and people with disabilities.
Rep. Conrad needs to look around our state and cut the political sniping.
Rep. Conrad begins attack on Governor
Stan Stein Wahpeton, N.D.
Opinion - 09/19/2007
The Democratic attack machine has begun. Democrats realize that they cannot defeat Gov. John Hoeven, if he decides to run for another term, on the issues and on a vision for North Dakota. So they begin their vaunted personal attack campaign 14 months prior to the 2008 election.
Leading off what will be an endless parade of personal attacks on our governor is Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, with her letter to The Forum. It really doesn’t matter who signs the letters and op-ed pieces because the message will be that Hoeven is bad for North Dakota. What they really mean, of course, is that Hoeven is bad for Democratic Party prospects to ever win the governor’s office.
Conrad’s lengthy dissertation (Sept. 11 letter) about our governor is rather humorous. She cites Peter Drucker, an expert on business and management. The humor is that a Democrat actually quoted someone connected to capitalism and free enterprise. Usually, Democrats spend their time attacking entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and business people, in general. And, their interest in business rests, solely, in raising taxes.
Conrad’s entire missive really does highlight the difference between the Democrats and Hoeven. Her view of the future is a state on welfare. The governor’s vision for North Dakota is a thriving state playing an increasingly important role in the world economy. His initiatives in education, agribusiness, energy, transportation, and the world of high tech, have put North Dakota in a great position to prosper in the future.
Under the Democrats, the only growth industry would be welfare. Hoeven is committed to a future of personal prosperity based on a growing, diversified, and competitive economy. There is a huge difference. It is the difference between dependence and independence. Given the choice, I have no doubt that North Dakota will choose independence and Hoeven, if he seeks another term.
Opinion - 09/19/2007
The Democratic attack machine has begun. Democrats realize that they cannot defeat Gov. John Hoeven, if he decides to run for another term, on the issues and on a vision for North Dakota. So they begin their vaunted personal attack campaign 14 months prior to the 2008 election.
Leading off what will be an endless parade of personal attacks on our governor is Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot, with her letter to The Forum. It really doesn’t matter who signs the letters and op-ed pieces because the message will be that Hoeven is bad for North Dakota. What they really mean, of course, is that Hoeven is bad for Democratic Party prospects to ever win the governor’s office.
Conrad’s lengthy dissertation (Sept. 11 letter) about our governor is rather humorous. She cites Peter Drucker, an expert on business and management. The humor is that a Democrat actually quoted someone connected to capitalism and free enterprise. Usually, Democrats spend their time attacking entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and business people, in general. And, their interest in business rests, solely, in raising taxes.
Conrad’s entire missive really does highlight the difference between the Democrats and Hoeven. Her view of the future is a state on welfare. The governor’s vision for North Dakota is a thriving state playing an increasingly important role in the world economy. His initiatives in education, agribusiness, energy, transportation, and the world of high tech, have put North Dakota in a great position to prosper in the future.
Under the Democrats, the only growth industry would be welfare. Hoeven is committed to a future of personal prosperity based on a growing, diversified, and competitive economy. There is a huge difference. It is the difference between dependence and independence. Given the choice, I have no doubt that North Dakota will choose independence and Hoeven, if he seeks another term.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
