Have a little faith

Normally I talk of politics but today I'd like to talk about something a little different. This morning I went to church for the first time in a very, very long time. As I was sitting there, watching all the people and listening to the music and praise, I felt as if I had been let it on a little secret. Read on to find out what...

Life is hard. I am sure many of you reading this now would agree. We as mortal beings go through many ups and downs and through it all, some of us have strong support systems while others of us are left to brave the cold, harsh world alone. The world can be cruel. People can be worse. To think one can go it alone is to have the mindset of a fool. We all need help. I for one have always felt it best to rely on no one but myself for moral support, emotional comfort, and love. To not lean on your fellow man means never having to be disappointed or let down or hurt. Opening up to those around you also opens you up to those weaknesses which we try all too often to hide. Hurt, pain, sadness, and despair. Loneliness is a suit of armor I have worn and worn proudly my whole life. To be alone for me has meant safety. Security. Recently, though, I found out that even the toughest of soldiers with the best shields are useless if trying to fight the world alone. Which brings me to this morning. 

I decided that, even if just for an hour, it would be interesting to see what the world looks like through the eyes of faith. And prayer. The interior of the church itself was breathtaking. The light coming through the windows looked as if God had personally lit the room so we may focus on him and him alone. Everyone in the room seemed to be at ease. At peace. Just something about being in a place of worship strips people of their worries, their problems and their pain. They, if even for a brief moment in time, feel... safe. Safe from the outside world. In here, we are protected. But instead of protective gear, we had the Bible and a Pastor and each other. And above all, God. As I looked around the room I saw, in the eyes of the congregation, hope. It's amazing how one can go from hopelessness to optimism in a matter of moments simply by letting go and allowing yourself to be part of something so much bigger than yourself. It seemed as though it was over before it began. As I left I turned around to take one last look at the interior and this time I saw more than just the sunlight. I saw God. Here's the little secret I wanted let you all in on. When I left through those doors and got in my car, God was still with me. And there you go. No matter how much or how often you think you are alone or lonely, you aren't. God is with all of us. In the car, at work, when we are having the best times in our lives and when we feel like giving up. 

To sum things up, I will never be one who opens up easily. I am an eternal loner. But after today I realize that even if I am sitting in my room alone or driving around aimlessly trying to get lost for no reason, I am not alone. I have a purpose. What that purpose is has yet to be revealed to me. But I did feel today that there is someone out there, watching over me, watching out for me, and above all, gave me the tools and skills necessary to make it in this life. And make it I will. This is my time. This is our time. Let's not waste it. The time is now...

Snapshot, Don't Take my Picture

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I tend to disagree. To me, a picture represents a wasted memory. A time spent trying to capture a moment on film rather than enjoying the moment itself.

Growing up an only child and raised by a single parent, my mother and I had the luxury of simply picking up and moving whenever the mood struck. For this we were labeled "Gypsies". From hopping on a train, plane, or automobile, we tended to never stay in one place for too long. Because of this I grew up realizing that I always had to take a minimalistic approach to life. Which meant not hanging on to an exorbitant amount of "stuff". Everything I owned growing up could easily fit in one suitcase and one box.We traveled light and traveled often. I sometimes asked my mother why we didn't have all the "normal things" other families had such as family heirlooms, photo albums and keepsakes. Her answer was always the same. She simply stated that we pass through life so briefly that we need to create memories as we travel down the road of existence and not be bogged down by trying to capture the present or hang on to the past. As a child, instead of sitting down with my mother and flipping through old family photos, she would regale me with fascinating tales of her childhood and of my grandmother and the rest of the family. We would laugh, cry and at the end of the night, I always came away with a sense that I was there. With my mom when she was 5 y/o and tried to kiss a boy for the first time and instead sat on a bee in front of the boy and ran around the schoolyard holding her bottom. Or the times my grandmother would rock me to sleep when I was baby. By hearing these stories I didn't need a photo to look at, instead I could close my eyes and, as I listened to mother, I could see it all happening as if it were happening at that very moment.

If you were to look at the bottom of my closet today or under my bed, you won't find any pictures. Nor will you find any photo albums. But if you could look into my heart or see into my soul, there you will find a treasure chest full of memories of days gone by, people who have been loved and lost, and you'll see me. The 5 y/o little boy going to the Zoo for the first time in San Diego and the young man that I am today. So next time you are inclined to ask me to take a picture, stop for a moment. Instead, walk with me, talk with me, and above all, let's create a memory together that will never fade and that will stand the test of time.

Time for Change... Andre Bauer 2012

I have been reading reports recently which state that former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is moving one step closer to announcing his bid for the new 7th Congressional District Seat. This troubles me. It troubles me deeply. Read on to find out why...

It's been stated that soon, this race will become a cosmic tidal wave with the 7th District being swept up in a candidate frenzy. From all far reaching corners of the new district, there have been many names of candidates swirling about for this new seat. But little do they know, there is a wind blowing from Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach. A wind so strong their dreams of victory will be swept away and become nothing more than fading memories. And the person single-handedly controlling this powerful force is none other than my candidate of choice, Andre Bauer.

To categorize Andre Bauer as a hard worker is the understatement of the century. The term "hard worker" set sail long ago and in it's place remains the only term which can be used to describe Mr. Bauer... Tenacious. Being born of tenacity means that one is not easily dispelled or discouraged. That is Andre Bauer to a tee. Naysayers beware. You may bring to this fight a fortress full of verbal ammunition and mud filled canons but you will not pass through the walls of Andre. He has a backbone made of steel. Say what you will about this man and it will not phase him nor veer him off course. One word comes to mind when I think about Andre's potential upcoming campaign... Redemption.

Which brings me back to my original point. Having Andre Bauer enter the race concerns me for the simple fact that the other potential candidates have no idea what they are getting themselves into. This man, this political beast, is a true army of one marching onward towards victory. He cares so deeply for South Carolina and for the people living within the new 7th District, it can easily be said that coursing through his veins is true blue Palmetto pride. Does Andre Bauer need this new seat? No. He's an independent self made business man whose only motivation for throwing his hat into the political ring one more time is the simple fact that he loves, he yearns for the opportunity to make a difference. A difference in my life, your life, and in the lives of everyone who he respectfully serves with dignity, honor, and above all integrity.

If you are reading this and you are a potential candidate for the 7th district or you know someone who may be toying around with the idea of running, keep this in mind; At the end of the day when your bones are weary and your head heavy and you collapse from exhaustion, Andre Bauer will still be up working late into the wee hours of twilight because when he sets his mind to do something, he does it. And he does it big. From fundraising to drumming up endorsements to rallying the masses, he does it all with a fire in his belly. Fasten your seat belts my friends because we are all about to get swept up in the winds of change that shall soon be known as the Andre Bauer for Congress campaign...

The Myth of Love

As I was driving towards McLeod Fitness today with a check in hand ready to sign up and begin my transition from couch potato to ripped hottie, I began thinking about why people work out. Health? Sure. Energy? Of course. With the hope they may attract members of the opposite sex (or same sex depending on who you are)? Most definitely. It seems as though people will stop at nothing these days to track down love as if they were on some African big game hunting expedition and then to mount their prize on the wall for the world to see. And then I started thinking. What is love? Is it real? Or is it a myth created to sell more overpriced Hallmark cards on the eve of Valentine's Day, the lover's holiday? Or some elaborate hoax created by Hollywood to encourage people to spend $12 on a ticket to see George Clooney in yet another movie where he gets the girl in the end? Let's explore this...

As long as I can remember, when asked, "How come a handsome guy like yourself is single?", I have always replied without any hesitation. "Well, I don't believe in love nor do I believe in entwining myself with someone else in that way. I am now and forever will be a bachelor and that's the way I will leave this world one day." Cynical, huh? Well, from an early age I realized that, while keeping the company of certain people may be mildly enjoyable and even entertaining at times, at the end of the day, I wanted to spend the last few moments of twilight, alone. Just me and my thoughts. People will argue that humans are pack animals. Always searching for that perfect mate to procreate with and fight and die for. I argue the opposite. I feel that we are all solitary creatures marching along that great highway of life trying hard to end each day hopefully a little wiser and a little happier than we had begun it. And even though we may lust after certain people who pique our sexual interests and desires, we know we are only left to our own devices to survive. So how to I respond to people who say they have found their one true love? Well, here's my response. I have freakishly small feet. I still shop for shoes in the boy's department (and damn proud of it too) and it is so tough to find a shoe that marries the comfort of a slipper on a cold winter night with the practicality of a George Foreman grill. Well one day I found that perfect shoe at K-Mart. And better yet, they were on sale for $19.95. Like the eternal quest many take on, I had found my proverbial white knight, in the form of navy blue loafers, nonetheless. I wore them proudly practically everyday for months. I took care of them, I loved them. But alas, all good things must come to an end. One day when walking across the room, I felt a draft. Hmm, I thought. I don't recall leaving a window open. I kept walking. Ouch. Something stuck my left foot. I looked down only to find part of my beloved shoe on the other side of the room while the rest remained loyal on my foot. I cried into my pillow every night for a week. Love is a many splendid thing, so they say, and I loved my shoes. But like everything you love too  much and too often, it eventually gets sick of you, packs it's bags, and leaves you behind to pick up the pieces of your life. The moral of this story? True love is no more reliable than a pair of $19.95 K-Mart loafers.

I contend that people are not these complex, complicated walking masses of flesh that Dr. Phil will have you believe. People are transparent. They are easy to read and to figure out. Plain and simple. People search for "love" because that's what is drilled into the mind of every young boy and girl. From stories of Cinderella to Shrek, children are taught that in order to be happy, you have to have a soul mate. I think you can truly and honestly really really really really like someone, but love? No. Soul mate? Heck no. Here's why. How is it that you can "love" someone with the passion of Cleopatra longing for Mark Antony and yet with the flip of a coin or the spin of the wheel of life, you fall out of "love"? The answer is simple; you were never in love to begin with. You were in "like". 

It may seem as though I have a pessimistic view of the world and love. Some may say the reason is that I have never known love myself. It's true. I haven't. Nor do I plan to. I have my family, some really great friends who I would consider my family, and I have myself. I am my own best friend, my cheerleader, my motivator, and ultimately, I am the one who I can always count on. Just as the incomparable Garbo proclaimed in Queen Christina, "I shall die a bachelor", I too shall live and die.... a bachelor. 

The Heart of a Nation

“If you say that we should not educate children who come into our state for no other reason than that they've been brought there through no fault of their own, I don't think you have a heart. We need to be educating these children, because they will become a drag on our society." These were the words heard around the nation. Truer words have never been spoken and yet, here they flow, from the mouth of a Republican Presidential candidate. And not just any candidate but the current front runner. Before you cast judgment upon this man, I encourage you to educate yourself on the topic instead. A topic that is sure to be the center piece in both the 2012 Presidential Republican Primary and the general election. Like any good Thanksgiving dinner table lined with everything from fresh yams to a succulent, seasoned turkey, the Presidential race will have a little of this and a little of that but a few items on the table will sure to be the main attractions. The piece de resistance. Like or not, immigration will be just that. So grab a bib, a fork, and a chair.The dinner bell's a ringin'.

TEC 54.052(a)(3). That's right. Let me say it again. TEC 54.052(a)(3). Look familiar? It should. It's what all this hoopla has been about. It's part of the Texas Education Code and it's what grants undocumented students access to in-state tuition in the great state of Texas. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that most people who brought out the grammatical army of harsh words and sly remarks to try and shatter the walls of Rick Perry have never even heard of this code nor have they bothered to familiarize themselves with it's contents. It's amazing how people are all too quick to wage a war on the unknown. Words are powerful. Throughout history, wars have started simply over the explosive nature and intent of  something someone said. I suggest to everyone, everywhere to only arm yourself once you know the whole story. Because in Texas, every young person, every student sitting in class this very moment with lofty dreams of walking the hallowed halls of academia, has a story. I feel so much pride as an American and someone who used to live in Texas, that I actually have the chance to vote for a man to be our next President who understands this. He understands people are not merely numbers on some chart in a newspaper or some headline on CNN or Fox News, nor are the people of Texas, his people, a mere sound byte.

If you are sitting there reading this, sipping a glass of iced tea while the kids are playing in the backyard and you are still unconvinced, let me present to you the cold hard facts. The fact is in 2010, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 16,476 students qualified for in-state tuition under TEC 54.052(a)(3). Sound like a lot? This actually means that only ONE PERCENT of enrolled students in public universities in Texas fall under TEC 54.052(a)(3). With more than a million students in public universities in Texas, 16,476 is but a mere speck on the map. So minute, it's not even on the radar. Except for the radar of those who will do anything and stop at nothing to try and defame the one man, who by all accounts, will be our next President. Scared are those who scramble and claw at figures who set out to overshadow their own prejudices and misguided ways. 

I have also heard recently the chatter of those in the background stating that the "Darn Mexicans" are going to get themselves a good ole' American education and then cross the border and use their new found book smarts to work and prosper in Mexico. Wait. Hold up. Let's revisit TEC 54.052(a)(3). Therein this code lies a simple fact. One that will unfortunately shatter those ill-informed beliefs. It states undocumented students are only eligible for in-state tuition if they have provided their institution of choice a signed affidavit indicating an intent to apply for permanent resident status as soon as they are able to do so. They also must have resided in Texas during high school and have done so for at least 3 years prior to their high school graduation.

Put your prejudices aside for a moment and think back when you were a senior in high school. You had your friends, you were involved in maybe the yearbook club or JROTC. Or perhaps you were the athletic type who led your team to victory at each and every game. And still on some nights when you had a particularly tough day at work or bills are causing your stress level to skyrocket, you can still hear the sounds from the stands of all those people, your fellow students, chanting your name. Things seemed so easy back then. The world seemed so new and full of potential. Anything, at that moment, was possible. As we get older we lose a little of that magic and that hope. We either become everything we hoped to be, a little of what we hoped to be, or we become what we hoped we wouldn't. Just a person. Living an average life, living paycheck to paycheck. Same routine day in and day out. Almost as if we are in a race with time and time, unfortunately is winning. But through all that despair and regret, we still cling to that young hope filled person we used to be back in high school when we just knew we were meant to conquer the world. Just imagine, for a moment, you are once again that student. The one who worked hard all throughout high school, the one who made plans with your best friend in science class that you two were going to experience college together. Maybe even become roomies and pass through that threshold from teenager to full fledged adult together. Living on your own, and yes, along the way making a few mistakes, but coming away from the collegiate experience with a whole new outlook on life and with the tools necessary to make your way in this crazy mixed up world. Now, what if someone told you that your dream was just that. A dream. Because, in a way, you are being punished for the sins of your father and of your mother. You may have been 5 at the time when your parents brought you from your homeland to the arms of the Red, White and Blue in hopes that you, their child, might grow up to have a little better than they did and hopefully be afforded all the opportunities in this, the life they gave you, should you work hard, work smart, and be all that you can be and want to be. Governor Perry said it right. If you want to rip that dream out from under a person simply because of the mistakes their parents made is heartless. Because when it comes right down to it, if we were to look in the closets of our parents, a skeleton or two or a dozen are sure to fall out. Should those skeletons then make their way into our lives? Cowards are those who throw stones at a mirror image of themselves in hopes of rewriting the past.

I've been told that I should write more "traditional" pieces. Maybe have more of a "campaign" writing style. But that's not me. I like to put my heart and soul in every word, every syllable. Because, in the end, that's what's wrong with our country. Somewhere, along the way, through all the wars and economic woes, and facts and figures being thrown at us on a daily basis, we forgot what this great nation was founded upon. A love for this land. A love for freedom. A love for each other. Making a difference is tough. People who choose that path are constantly beaten down and pushed aside, but the ones, like Rick Perry, who have a heart and truly love this land, will make a difference. On election day we need to remember that Washington doesn't need another fancy talker or slick politician, what Washington needs most and what it yearns for is simple. It just needs a little heart. That's all. A heart.

Power of the People

Eva Peron once said, "Where there is a worker, there lies a nation." That saying still rings true today in politics because wherever there is someone willing to work for a cause they believe in, therein lies the heart and soul of any organization.

What do people want in an election? Fancy signs? Controversial television ads? The answer is simple. The people, the voters, want just one thing. To be part of the process. In our lives we all dream, even if just for a moment, of walking down the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere or rocking it out on MTV or accepting a Nobel Prize thus establishing our place in history. As we grow older we all eventually come to the realization that, while anything is possible in life, we may never get to the Academy Awards or fly to the moon or win an Olympic gold medal, but the one thing we can do, the one thing we can count on, is using the power of our voice to help bring about positive change for ourselves and for those who shall inherit this world long after we are gone.

All too often political parties, groups, and clubs get so caught up in their own internal struggle between good and evil they end up creating so much unnecessary and unwanted drama, turmoil, and strife. Campaigns, elections, and politics in general are not about a political party chairman or committeewoman or some executive board. They are about the people. The average American man who gets up everyday at 5am to go work a 12 hour day just to support his family. The average American woman who, during the course of any given day, manages to balance family, work, and the daily stresses of bills and money woes. These hard working Americans are what the political process is all about. Our country was founded upon the sacred God given right that we, as Americans, have a say in our own future and destiny.

I am a Republican and a proud one at that. I truly believe that if people all over this great nation from the Pee Dee to California who share the same core principles and values of the Republican Party take a stand in 2012, we will take this country back. Will it be easy? No. Not at all. The average American views the political world as an elitist one. From black tie fundraisers to the infamous blue blazer wearing politicos who line the walls of any political event, the public's perception of politics is that of some secret society where one must go through some right of passage to enter. I'm here to let you all in on a little secret. There is no secret handshake, no tapping on some back door. Oh no. The only requirement to get involved in politics is simple. You need a desire to make a difference. The human voice is different from any other sound. Even when it's not shouting. Even if it's only but a whisper. One person, one voice can make a difference. A voice that is speaking the truth and speaking from the heart can be heard even over the loudest of sounds because in the human voice lies the key to change. Strength, determination, and the will to make the best out of this life we are given.

I like to think of myself as an outsider looking in from the inside. I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly and even the occasional undesirable atrocity. From sexually charged staffers and candidates to backstabbing operatives, navigating the maze that is South Carolina politics over the past two years has been interesting, that's for sure. Through all the ups and downs I have experienced I have a message for everyone reading this. Everything you have heard about the political world is true. And probably even worse than the media portrays it. But the ray of sunshine in this dismal scenery is this. All those backstabbers? Don't worry about them. Their bark is worse than their bite. Those who is stand in judgement while posing in their Ralph Lauren suits and Armani sunglasses? Don't worry about them either. They are just fakin' it 'till they make it. The entire political world is full of pomp and circumstance. Don't let that dissuade you from getting involved. All of you reading this have a voice. Let us remind this great nation those seats in Washington belong not to the chairman of some local political group nor do they belong to some random executive committeeman. They belong to the people. It's time our voice is heard. I challenge every Republican reading this now to Google a few candidates and campaigns both locally and nationally. Research your candidates and find the ones you truly believe in and get involved. Email their campaigns and offer your help. From making phone calls to putting up signs to talking to your friends about them, all these Republican candidates need our help. Let's reclaim our country and put the Red White and Blue pride back in DC. In closing, I leave you with hope. Hope that change, it is a comin'....

Return to Innocence

With all the stresses of every day life from bills to traffic to what to make for dinner we somehow, along the way, lose ourselves. On a recent visit to the beautiful city of Myrtle Beach I knew I had to see the ocean. The ocean signifies rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings. Standing there, basking in the glory of all the infinite possibilities the ocean brings with it with it's roaring thunder, I had an epiphany. I may have been standing there alone in that moment in time, but I am not alone. None of us are. Every person we meet and have met leaves an impression on us. We are but tiny vessels traveling briefly through time and space and we are doing so together. Our friends, family, acquaintances and even strangers. Our fates are all intertwined. We are all one. Friend and foe.

Reveling in the delight of the warm sun, listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore as I walked along the beach on this steamy afternoon, I had a spiritual experience. Several years ago my grandmother died tragically and unexpectedly in a car accident. Not only were we close, but we were very much alike. Sometimes too much so. We had our moments of strife but we always realized the reason we didn't see eye to eye was for the simple fact we were one in the same. Both stubborn, bullheaded, outspoken, opinionated loud mouths who would stop at nothing to get what we want out of life. My grandmother had the power of the written word. Her lifelong dream was to become a well known published author. As with many people, her family came first and sadly, her dream never came to the forefront in her life. She left this mortal world leaving behind a family who loved her but she also left behind what so many leave. Their unrealized dreams. As the years pass by and I begin to get a little older and more preoccupied with the mundane that is everyday life, her memory at times, seems to fade. I know her, I love her, but, as much as it shames me to say it, I forget her. On this day that changed.

As I slowly turned my back to the ocean symphony, I looked towards the sky. The clouds formed shapes that captivated my imagination. They seemed to be there solely for my entertainment. They danced and shifted with the tide and I was in awe. As I turned to take one last glance at one of God's most awesome creations, I had an overwhelming sense of every emotion known to man. From sadness to joy, from heartache to heartbreak, I felt it all. I sat down and closed my eyes for only a few minutes. But those solitary moments felt like a lifetime. When I opened my eyes I knew I wasn't alone. My grandmother was with me. Somehow she knew at this moment, on this day, I needed her.

Even though no words were spoken, I could feel in my heart and down to my soul what she wanted me to know. With each step I take each and every day, part of her remains with me. Her tenacity, her drive, and her gift of writing. She wanted to remind me that, even though she has transcended this mortal world with a dream unfulfilled, I can pick up where she left off and realize that dream for her and for me. And then I came to the realization that throughout the years, I've let her down. Here I have been given such a blessing to have had her in my life and an even more important gift of what she has left with me. Her legacy, her talents, and ultimately.. her voice. As suddenly as all this began, it was over. The clouds once again overtook the sun and darkness fell hiding my tear stained face. What do I do now? What do any of us do when we realize those who have gone before us want only to see us be everything we can not only for ourselves but so they know that even if they didn't realize their dreams, their next generation did.

We all share the common thread of frustration that is delicately woven into our lives each and everyday. With frustration comes resentment. We resent the way things turned out, the house we live in, the car we drive and even, at times, the family we were given. But instead of focusing on the negative we need to focus on the positive. Our souls are like patchwork quilts made of pieces of all those who came before us. Extraordinary people who did extraordinary things and because of those people, we are who we are today. Let us not waste the gift of life we have been given. As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "One has to pay dearly for immortality; one has to die several times while one is still alive." Each day we live inside a life we are unhappy with we die a little. Our spirit begins to crack. I for one intend to trade in that unhappiness for that ultimate goal we all should strive for. To live, love, and die as one remarkable human being. Then and only then shall we achieve true immortality.

The Man, the Myth, the Second Coming

Campaign season will soon be upon us. Local politicos are lining up their bow ties and blazers and beginning to make backroom deals with possible candidates for all seats from local county council to national races. I, for one, pick my candidates how I pick my friends. I look for people who are real, accessible, a person with honest eyes and a genuine nature. At times I say to myself, "Self. You need medication because no candidate is all of these things." But instead of medicating, I go for educating. Educating myself on all the candidates to see if there may be at least one who can live up to the stringent standards I set forth for any public official. To my surprise, one actually does exist. He's my friend, he's your friend, and he's a friend to South Carolina. His name? Andre Bauer.

The race for the brand new Seventh Congressional District seat will be one of the hottest races around in the upcoming months. Candidates from all sides of the political spectrum will throw their hats in the proverbial ring. One already has and there is one I am hoping will. Andre Bauer. Because no other candidate has what Andre has. Simply put. He's your friend first and your candidate second. I challenge you to sit back and watch as Andre works a crowd. While most candidates will blindly shake hands with as many people as possible, not even bothering to make eye contact, Andre wants to know you. Your name, where you are from and what, if anything, he can do for you. No longer is the political process only accessible to a chosen few. With Andre Bauer at the helm, he will give the power back to the people of South Carolina and for the first time in a long time, give the people of the Pee Dee a voice and a place on the national stage.

Today I took a moment to look back my past blog posts from last year. My very first entry was a recap of the first time I met Andre. It's amazing how, after so many months have passed, I have gone from looking at Andre as not only my candidate of choice, but also my friend. He has that affect on everyone he meets. I've spoken with a few other Bauer supporters in the past few days and they all feel the same way as I do. How often does a politician come around who is the type of person you'd want as your best man at your wedding, as the brother you never had, and as someone you could call at 2 am just to talk . And to think soon he may be, once again, back out on "the trail" asking the people of the Pee Dee to give him a chance to make them proud as he represents us all in Washington. People light up when he enters a room, he puts you at ease making you want to spell out your life story, and, when you leave meeting with him, you feel as if you are leaving an old friend you've known since those childhood days gone by.

As I've stated before, I am not your typical "Young Republican". I don't own a blue blazer, I think bow ties belong in a museum, and I have vowed since day one, that I will never compromise myself nor my integrity just to get ahead in this, the rat race that is South Carolina politics. Whether I remain simply a volunteer working towards advancing the Republican cause or if I actually make my living one day as a shiny new Politico, I will remain true to myself. Which means you can trust what I am saying. I am not merely writing random niceties to try and flatter Mr. Bauer so I may one day find my name on his payroll. I say these things because I mean them. I am nothing if not an honest, trustworthy young man. My momma raised me right. I tell it like it is. Good or bad. Always have and always will. And the day my feelings about Andre change, I will be the first to sit down at my laptop and type out those words for the world to read. But that won't happen. Because, like me, Andre is a man of his word.

As Voltaire once said, "All is a miracle. The stupendous order of nature, the revolution of a hundred millions of worlds around a million of stars, the activity of light, the life of all animals, all are grand and perpetual miracles." My friends, the Pee Dee is full of miraculous wonders from the sandy white beaches of Myrtle Beach to the sun rising over the Lynches River . There is one man who will work tirelessly to protect the Pee Dee and all it holds dear. Please join me in supporting Andre Bauer for Congress.

The Man in the Moon

Stepping outside at night into the darkness of yet another summer evening in the South brings about a mix of emotions. The sounds of the cricket symphony in the background act as a soundtrack in this, the final act of the day. Standing there I tilt my head back and look towards the moon in all it's glory. No matter how many years pass by, I still feel like that 5 y/o boy who stood staring at the moon fascinated by the fact that some other little boy somewhere else at that exact moment in another place was staring at the same moon. At that moment in time, we shared something. A friend. The Man in the Moon. It's amazing how you can feel like the only person left in the world at times and yet feel as though you are a small part of something much bigger than yourself. Now that I am older and hopefully a little wiser, I realize the importance of submitting myself to the fact that I, nor anyone else, is ever truly alone as long as we believe in the realm of infinite possibilities and places.


We have heard so much in the news lately about a little place in a faraway land known as Washington. We hear of this place, of these people who, in all their suited glory, make some of the most important decisions of modern times. Yet there seems to be such a disconnect between them and us. We see them on TV, like modern day Knights of the Round Table, jousting back and forth and here we sit, feeling all but helpless. And yet I am once again reminded of what Abraham Lincoln once said, "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world." These words may have been spoken many moons ago yet they still ring true today. And these very words were brought to life recently when a group of people unhappy with the way things were, rose up against the establishment and enacted a change that will forever shape the future of this Nation, this State, and above all, this, our home, the Pee Dee .


Recently a special gift was bestowed upon the Pee Dee area and it's residents. At times all the talk of maps and demographics and facts and figures clouded the true meaning of this gift, this blessing in disguise because it is not simply a line. It's not a label nor a title. We have received the most powerful gift in the history of man. We have more than just a new 7th Congressional District. We now have... A Voice.


In the grand scheme of things, someone in Boise, ID or Yuma, AZ or even Big Sky, MT may not know the Pee Dee area of South Carolina exists or even what the "Pee Dee" means to them or anyone for that matter. Soon, that shall change. For, on the outside looking in, we may be nothing more than a small piece of turf to be easily forgotten, but somewhere in the depths of Washington, DC there is a sound. A rolling thunder that will be the new voice of the Pee Dee. For so long, our cries for help, our longing for true representation have all fallen upon deaf ears. Now, we will have a vessel for all our wants, needs, fears, and ideas to travel in to our nation's capital to be heard from the rooftops loud and clear.


This person must have the heart of a champion, the tenacity of a bulldog, a genuine nature, and a will strong enough to withstand the harsh and brutal world of DC politics. I have always said that, in politics, you have two choices if you want to bring about positive change. You can decide to submit yourself to being under a microscope and become the candidate or you can decide to work behind the scenes for the candidate you truly believe in. The person you can relate to, the person you can trust, and above all, the person who is willing to let your voice be heard. We all have our candidate of choice for this sacred new Congressional seat. Some of our choices will throw their hat in the proverbial ring. Some will cower before the fear of a such an epic undertaking. And one special person will rise to the challenge and like a hawk, set their sights on taking the Pee Dee and it's residents to a whole new level. This person will be our voice, our knight in shining armor, who will make sure this, our nation, never forgets we are here. We are strong. And we will not stop until our voice is heard.


We, my friends, have a rare opportunity to give that man in the moon a name. Let us not squander that opportunity. For if we do, we will only have ourselves to blame. So tonight, before you lay your head down ready to enter another night of peaceful tranquility, take a moment to look up at the moon and remember that even though we , the Pee Dee, may be just a dot on a map, soon everyone looking at that same moon will know us and know our story.


Good night...

Wicked Witch of the Pee Dee

Irony is the ultimate cunning fox in the jungle that is South Carolina politics. I've been a victim to this cunning creature's attack recently. It's ironic how myself and a certain elected official whom I have had my doubts about in the past have something in common. Because of a certain group of people who have hunted me down over the past year as if I were the Wicked Witch of the Pee Dee, I have all but given up on politics in general. But I was certain that this type of witch hunt, this type of "Ganging Up" on one person, was just focused solely on me. Now I see that a different Witch Hunt is taking place and this time the poor, unsuspecting target is none other than someone I haven't had the opportunity to get to know. Our local hometown boy. Our Lt. Gov... Ken Ard. Pure irony the strange bedfellows politics can create.

Never should we pretend to have the power to pierce the eyes of a man to see through to his soul or what's in his heart. Therefore the only thing we know for sure is this. Ken Ard is guilty. His crime? His devious act which has caused so many to gather their pitch forks and lanterns to seek out vengeance is simple. He is guilty of being human. I've been reminded recently that we are nothing if we do not tread down that path which is riddled with mistakes, missteps, and slip ups. We are but flesh and bone and we should lift up those who make mistakes instead of trying to tear them down. Any strong man is a fortress and right now the walls of Ken Ard are starting to crumble. My fellow Republicans, let us gather together to help Ken repair what's been damaged and stave off those who are trying to oust him from an office he earned through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to our Party, our State, and each and every South Carolinian.

Naysayers will have you believe that Ken will no longer be able to do his job because of all the distractions, yet these same people are the ones causing the distractions. Whether you voted for Ken, campaigned for Ken, or campaigned against him, the fact of the matter is that the people of South Carolina have spoken. They chose Ken Ard to represent them in the office of the Lt. Gov. Good, bad or indifferent we must now stand behind the people's choice.

Sometimes I sit and think about the irony in the fact that we have many people in our Party who claim to be true and devoted Republicans, yet they seek out to destroy their own. Evil seeks out the weak and the wounded and when a man is constantly beaten down, his spirit becomes broken and that's when they pounce. In this case, Democrats know the time may be near when Ken may succumb to their constant cries for him to resign. But as long as we rally together and get behind our friend in need, they can't break us. There may be a crack in the facade of the Republican Party and among Republican in this state but it's time to join hands, friend and foe, to help ensure the continued success of Republicans in South Carolina.

My time with the Party may be coming to an end for the mere fact that I am simply out of fight. But let's not let Ken give up or bow out. The curtain's raised, the second act is beginning and by God another Republican's curtain will not fall as long as there are those of us who truly believe in this, our Grand Old Party. With every step a man takes throughout the course of his day, he thinks, he feels, he plots his next move. Let's walk, side by side with Ken Ard. We owe him that much.