My Pres Mitch?

Anyone who knows me knows that I was a My Man Mitch supporter before the green shirts with white writing became a fashion trend in Indiana. In short, I love Mitch and I love what he has done for my home state. Seriously, how many politicians do you know that have campaigned, made promises (big, direction changing promises), got elected, and then kept those promises. Really, I think it shocked people that Mitch actually came through on the promises he made all over the state. It is a sad state of things when people are surprised when someone keeps their word. But keep his word he did and in a big way.



For those of you who are not familiar with the great state of Indiana and all the great things Mitch has done, here is a run down of a few of my favorite things...

My favorite accomplishments from My Man Mitch:

• Indiana's unemployment rate is the lowest in the region. (side note: You would never know this if you listened to Barry's speech in Elkhart County...moving on)

• Governor Daniels initiated three economic trade missions to Asia and Western Europe. These visits led to hundreds of millions of dollars in unprecedented new and expanded development and thousands of new jobs for Hoosiers. A new tourism campaign helped increase travel to Indiana by 8% with an economic impact increase of $89.6 million.

• In 2006, Feeding Indiana's Hungry, a public-private partnership was developed to provide surplus food to soup kitchens and shelters. In the first year, 51,000 pounds of food were donated to nine Indiana food banks.

• Achieved Indiana's first three honestly balanced budgets in nearly a decade.

• Indiana's credit rating was just increased to AAA (the highest possible rating) because of the state's improved management and expected budget surpluses. This is the first time in Indiana's history to receive the AAA rating.

• Paid back over $750 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.

• Trimmed over $250 million in unnecessary spending from state government and saved a total of $190 million by renegotiating the previous administration's some 30 contracts.

• Through consolidating and streamlining, agencies are reducing bloated senior and middle management and focusing on front-line employees delivering customer service. The total number of state employees has been reduced by nearly 5,000 workers since 2005.

• Provided the only plan to permanently cut and cap property taxes forever, helping every Hoosier homeowner, including seniors, and young families alike. Thanks to bipartisan support the plan passed during the 2008 legislative session.

• And my number one favorite thing, HE SOLD THE TOLL ROAD!!! ...just kidding, in 2006, Indiana entered into an agreement to lease the operation of the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years in exchange for $3.8 billion. Governor Mitch Daniels directed the $3.8 billion toward the Major Moves Project funding the state's 10 year highway, road and bridge building plan. Indiana remains the only state in the nation with a fully-funded 10 year transportation and infrastructure plan.
  

If you want to see all of what Mitch has done visit www.mymanmitch.com

Me, Ali, and Mitch, we are kind of a big deal.

And now on to the one promise I would like him to break. During his 2008 campaign, Mitch promised not to ever run for another public office. In light of the path this country is hurdling down, it would make me so happy to see Mitch run for the Presidency, he has done great things for Indiana. In 4 years, I think we are going to be in dire straits...Mitch turned Indiana around, maybe he could do the same for the rest of the country. Besides, I have all these great My Man Mitch tshirts that I need a reason to wear again. Keep him in mind and keep your hopes up. I will! (My second choice for President in 2012 is also a Hoosier, Mike Pence, but that will be another post.)

6 Months Out...

So here I am, 6 months out from the start of my marriage, move to DC, and start of a new job. If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be living in Washington DC, working at a law firm, and spending more money on fabric than clothes, I would have said you were crazy. But here I am, a Midwestern Transplant and a Hostage Hoosier in the limestone and concrete world of DC. Being right in the middle of the political center of our country has made me acutely aware of how out of touch with the real world DC is.

The values I have been brought up on have shaped me into a strong character with a biting sarcastic humor that enjoys pointing out everything that is wrong in the world. This has worked both for and against me. I have learned how to control it so that it makes people want listen to what I say, even if they disagree.

My sheer frustration with the direction of this country has spurred me to inform everyone around me of what is going on. I see people around me, walking around in a dream world of American prosperity and the way things are is going to be the way things will always be, and it scares me. People do not pay attention to the news or financial markets because they have never had to, because in my generation, things have always been good. Those in power are using this sense of security to quietly strip our freedom away.

I have gotten an immensely positive response from my posts to Facebook. I have become the go-to girl for a lot of people on a wide range of topics. I never expected to have that kind of impact, but I am glad people think enough of my opinion to read and take into account my point of view on things. So at the encouragement from several close friends, I have decided to start a blog. It could be good, bad, or ugly, but we will see where it takes me.

Don't be surprised if I post something ripping a politician and immediately switch gears and start talking about my latest sewing adventure. My life centers on about 5 things, the Bible, politics, sewing, Brandon, and a little black and white terror known as Daphne. My mind is constantly overflowing with ideas on everything from projects to politics, opinions to overlooked ideas, and doggies and dogmas...welcome to my mind, you're in a for ride.