My name is Chris Smith, and I would like to welcome you to this discussion of ideas... Forward Thinking for a Better America. As an Independent, I want to end partisan distractions with new common sense ideas:
- Protect Americans from terrorists and those who threaten freedom
- Honor Veterans and provide them, and the families of fallen soldiers, with respect and support from a thankful nation
- Clean Energy Independence with Renewables like Solar and Hydrogen
- Teacher = Hero: Double the number of qualified teachers in schools and improve education
- Fix Healthcare by reforming medical insurance and putting patients in charge of choosing higher quality at lower prices
- Lower Taxes and Balanced Budgets with a Progressive Flat Tax
- Reform the Patriot Act to protect America and our Civil Liberties
- Reduce Concentrated Power in Government and Corporations to restore freedom
This is a "blog" or a web site in a journal format. This page is related to Showtime's original American Candidate television show. Chris Smith is not a candidate for President and cannot accept campaign contributions.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Names of 10 American Candidates
This is currently believed to be the list of 10 candidates, based on current press reports (a little different than the 12 originally reported).
I have been helping Bob Vanech, since we agree that it is time to return power to the American people, not big business and big government. You can check out his campaign web site here: http://voteforvanech.us/
As you review the names, yes, that is Dick Gephardt's daughter on the list. Will this help or hurt Dick Gephardt's chances of being picked to join the Kerry ticket as VP? (Actually, latest analysis has Senator Edwards from North Carolina as the leading pick... unless you choose to believe the rumors that Kerry is pursuing Republicans like McCain or Hagel, which anyone can tell you is very unlikely. Kerry is apparently getting pressure from Southern Congressional leaders who do not want Kerry to concede the South, and think that having Edwards on the ticket may help be the margin of victory in Southern Congressional races, even if it doesn't actually impact the Presidential math.)
If only Bush's nephew, Nader's friend's daughter, and Kerry's step son had applied... oh well:
Bob Vanech, Los Angeles CA... Free Speech, power to the people not big business and big government
Lisa Witter, New York NY... Healthcare, Election Reform, Repeal Bush Taxes
Park Gillespie, Stanley NC... End Terrorism, Pro Family Pro Life, Judicial Reform
Chrissy Gephardt, Washington DC... Equality and Community, Dick Gephardt's daughter
Joyce Riley, Versailles MO (Ark City?)... Libertarian and Veterans issues, Gold Standard, Bring Jobs Home
Keith Boykin, New York NY... Minority rights and equality: race and sexual preference issues
Bruce Friedrich, Norfolk VA... PETA Activist, Withdraw from NAFTA & WTO, Proportional Voting
Malia Lazu, Takoma Park MD... Jobs & Living Wage, Universal Education, Universal Healthcare, Diva
Richard Mack, Provo UT... 2nd Amendment, abolish IRS, Repeal Patriot Act, Close Dept. of Education
Jim Strock, Scottsdale, AZ... updated to include his name, War on Terror, Repeal IRS code, Empower Economic Leaders for Growth
Originally reported as being part of the 12, in error:
Andy Somers, Hollywood CA... End Drug War, Replace Electoral College with Condorcet, Balance Budget
Steve Kramer, New York NY... Likes Tim Penny
Mike Rosch, Round Rock TX... Bigger Soap Box, Flat Tax, Population Control?, Comedy?
I have been helping Bob Vanech, since we agree that it is time to return power to the American people, not big business and big government. You can check out his campaign web site here: http://voteforvanech.us/
As you review the names, yes, that is Dick Gephardt's daughter on the list. Will this help or hurt Dick Gephardt's chances of being picked to join the Kerry ticket as VP? (Actually, latest analysis has Senator Edwards from North Carolina as the leading pick... unless you choose to believe the rumors that Kerry is pursuing Republicans like McCain or Hagel, which anyone can tell you is very unlikely. Kerry is apparently getting pressure from Southern Congressional leaders who do not want Kerry to concede the South, and think that having Edwards on the ticket may help be the margin of victory in Southern Congressional races, even if it doesn't actually impact the Presidential math.)
If only Bush's nephew, Nader's friend's daughter, and Kerry's step son had applied... oh well:
Bob Vanech, Los Angeles CA... Free Speech, power to the people not big business and big government
Lisa Witter, New York NY... Healthcare, Election Reform, Repeal Bush Taxes
Park Gillespie, Stanley NC... End Terrorism, Pro Family Pro Life, Judicial Reform
Chrissy Gephardt, Washington DC... Equality and Community, Dick Gephardt's daughter
Joyce Riley, Versailles MO (Ark City?)... Libertarian and Veterans issues, Gold Standard, Bring Jobs Home
Keith Boykin, New York NY... Minority rights and equality: race and sexual preference issues
Bruce Friedrich, Norfolk VA... PETA Activist, Withdraw from NAFTA & WTO, Proportional Voting
Malia Lazu, Takoma Park MD... Jobs & Living Wage, Universal Education, Universal Healthcare, Diva
Richard Mack, Provo UT... 2nd Amendment, abolish IRS, Repeal Patriot Act, Close Dept. of Education
Jim Strock, Scottsdale, AZ... updated to include his name, War on Terror, Repeal IRS code, Empower Economic Leaders for Growth
Originally reported as being part of the 12, in error:
Andy Somers, Hollywood CA... End Drug War, Replace Electoral College with Condorcet, Balance Budget
Steve Kramer, New York NY... Likes Tim Penny
Mike Rosch, Round Rock TX... Bigger Soap Box, Flat Tax, Population Control?, Comedy?
Sunday, June 06, 2004
American Candidate Media Buzz
SF Weekly recently published an opinion column about American Candidate. The column gets a few things wrong. But, it mentions my web blog site (though incorrectly) and my supporters, so I link to it here for your enjoyment.
SF Weekly: Matt Smith Column
Columnist Matt Smith calls those of you who wrote for the "American Voices" feature "photogenic everyday Americans" ... so at least the column got that right.
I just don't know what facts the columnist is using as the basis to say that "the 'candidates' were tricked..." I haven't felt tricked by any of this.
In other news, some who have seen ads for American Candidate on Showtime say that there will be only 10 candidates. I have not seen the ads, so I am unable to confirm that.
SF Weekly: Matt Smith Column
Columnist Matt Smith calls those of you who wrote for the "American Voices" feature "photogenic everyday Americans" ... so at least the column got that right.
I just don't know what facts the columnist is using as the basis to say that "the 'candidates' were tricked..." I haven't felt tricked by any of this.
In other news, some who have seen ads for American Candidate on Showtime say that there will be only 10 candidates. I have not seen the ads, so I am unable to confirm that.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Thoughtful Discussion... Friedman on Outsourcing and Iraq
Today while in the car, NPR aired a thoughtful interview between Terry Gross and Thomas Friedman on Fresh Air. Thomas Friedman is a New York Times foreign-affairs columnist who has written numerous books, including The Lexus and the Olive Tree (Amazon).
In the interview, they discuss the issues surrounding free trade and gloabalization, and also Iraq. Friedman supported invading Iraq, and I did not. However, I respect his honest presentation of his point of view. Thoughtful discussion is a refreshing change of pace in the political season.
You can listen to the program with Thomas Friedman here:
Fresh Air: June 3, 2004
More on outsourcing:
The Los Angeles Times, May 30: Outsourcing Ax Falls Hard on Tech Workers
In the interview, they discuss the issues surrounding free trade and gloabalization, and also Iraq. Friedman supported invading Iraq, and I did not. However, I respect his honest presentation of his point of view. Thoughtful discussion is a refreshing change of pace in the political season.
You can listen to the program with Thomas Friedman here:
Fresh Air: June 3, 2004
More on outsourcing:
The Los Angeles Times, May 30: Outsourcing Ax Falls Hard on Tech Workers
