WyWatch keeping tabs on our State House and Senate

If you are a Facebook user, I suggest checking out the WyWatch Watchers group, which is doing a fine job of keeping tabs on the legislation and proposals that affect our personal freedoms.

There is just one week to go until the 2011 legislature session. The Republican Party candidates have clearly shown what kind of power trip they go on when they have control of the house, senate, and governorship of our state. It hasn't been pretty to watch, but hopefully this will get our party riled up and start planning for the 2012 election cycle. We need to toss out our district representatives. They have helped push through legislation that denies equality to all Wyoming citizens, and have successfully pushed their so-called morality issues while blindly ignoring our U.S. constitution.

Our county caucus is fast approaching in March. I'd like to see some serious discussion concerning our need to fight back and put some people in power that want to prevent this state from continuing down the path of prejudice and hate mongering.

Platte County Elections Results November 4, 2008

The results are in, and for the state of Wyoming and Platte County, the GOP has a sweep.

It was hardly a surprise that Mike Enzi (R) and John Barrasso (R) , our state Senators, would keep their elected positions. They earned 76% and 74% of the votes, respectively.

Cynthia Lummis (R) captured the larger percentage of votes, winning our lone congressional seat, 126,016 to 100,724 (2572 to 1710 in Platte County) in a heated race with Gary Trauner.

Our new representative for State House District #3 will be Frank Peasley (R), in a close race against Terry Jones (D). The final votes for Platte County were 1522 to 1240. District #5 will continue to be represented by Matt Teeters (R), who earned 66% of the vote in Platte County. The state senate race was a blowout. Jim Anderson (R) defeated Jay Wright (D) with 67.5% of the votes in Senate District #2.

More locally, we now have an all-Republican County Commissioners Board, with Terry Stevenson (R) defeating incumbant Joe Reichardt (D), 2559 to 1843. He will join Tim Millikin and Dan Kirkbride.

The people elected for the Hospital District Board were Rick Bowen, John C. Bunker, Crystal Gamblin and Lori Modesett. Chuck Witte lost his position by 30 votes.

Wheatland will have Alan Madsen and Bob Shoemaker as city councilmen.
Guernsey will have Audrey Brown as a councilwoman for a four year term. Penny Wells and Cindy Frederick have been elected to hold two year terms.

Constitutional amendments A and B both passed, as did the Senior Citizen Tax Continuation.

Further results for school district positions, judges, resource conservation districts and the like can be viewed here, under "Election Results".

Although the news from the national stage was overwhelmingly positive for Democrats, the state and local winners reflect the fact that Wyoming is still a stronghold for the Republican Party. I hope that the elected officials will make thoughtful decisions, and I encourage them to remember the nickname of our state. We are the Equality State. Let that be reflected in your work for the people of Wyoming.

And to our Democratic candidates, I congratulate you for your tireless efforts of campaigning. In this state, you have the struggle of earning each and every vote, simply for having a "D" behind your name. I've been able to listen to many of you, and know that you have selfless desires for a better way of life for this and future generations. Keep believing in those dreams, and never forget the mantra: Yes we can!

Gary Trauner and the Preamble to the Constitution

Tomorrow is the big day. It is my sincerest belief that we need a U.S. House Representative that will represent everyone in Wyoming. As my final plug for Gary Trauner before the election, I offer this piece from Gary, regarding the Preamble to the Constitution.

Preamble to the Constitution

When I made the decision to run for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, I went back to the document that set the foundation for our new country, the Constitution of the United States of America.

The founders of this great country clearly believed in the role, and the ability, of the federal government in ensuring the success of the new democratic experiment they were embarking upon. They also clearly believed that the federal government should have specific responsibilities. In fact, the founders laid out their views directly in the very first words of the Constitution, the Preamble. It states: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I'd like to provide you with my thoughts on how the specific ideas set forth in the Preamble apply to Americans as we enter the 21st century.

We the People of the United States, in Order to:
* Form a more perfect Union
o Encourage voting and participation in the political process for all citizens, not just those of a certain party or race
o Remove discrimination against any identifiable group through legislation and, if need be, court enforcement
o Encourage tolerance of diversity and acceptance of differing views and lifestyles
o Ensure that all citizens have the ability to believe and worship in their own way, without forcing anyone to believe or worship in any specific way
* Establish Justice
o Ensure that we are a country that is respectful of the rule of law by setting up a system of public justice through courts and judges
o Fight corruption through reasonable regulatory oversight of our citizens and business enterprises, utilizing appropriate enforcement tools when necessary
* Insure domestic Tranquility and provide for the common defence
o Maintain a well-equipped, well-trained military that is superior in all aspects to the rest of the world
o Work with other countries
o Ensure that the National Guard is well-equipped and well trained and used primarily for domestic purposes, such as natural disasters and keeping the peace
o Protect and make secure our homeland
o Only go to war when it is absolutely necessary and as a last resort
o Ensure that all people are treated equally, regardless of race, creed, religion or lifestyle preference
* Promote the general Welfare, and
o Make policy based not solely on the narrow focus of corporate interests, but for the broader well-being of the people and our families
o Provide basic, quality health care for all citizens, irregardless of employment, age or economic status
o Provide quality educational opportunity for all children
o Ensure a level playing field for competitive enterprises through reasonable regulatory oversight and compliance
* Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
o Ensure individual freedoms and freedom from government intrusion in our private lives
o Act in a fiscally responsible manner, properly funding government so as not to unduly burden our children and future generations
o Preserve our natural heritage and outdoor recreational opportunities for all Americans and future generations
o Pursue an energy policy that is sustainable for future generations, works for our national security and is balanced with preserving our natural heritage
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I encourage you to join me in voting for Gary Trauner as our Wyoming choice for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Colorado looks good in blue

I said it a couple of days ago, and it seems it was only a matter of time. CNN now has Colorado shaded in light blue, leaning toward Senator Obama. I knew our neighbors would come through. I think in the end, "Change" is going to win over "Fear", which is exactly how these two campaigns can be summed up. We have been led by the use of fear for too many years now, ever since 9/11/01. Colorado is ready for change, unfortunately Wyoming is bound tight in Republican chains when it comes to presidential politics. Even so, I hope a few more Wyomingites will look past the boundaries of party lines, and vote for change as well.

Wyoming's proposed constitutional amendments

There are two state constitutional amendments up for consideration on the ballot in November. It is nice to know the reasons behind the proposed amendments, or at least have some inkling of what is being changed before stepping into the voting booth. Informed decisions, what a concept. Here are the two amendments and the gist of what is to be changed if they are voted upon favorably.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment A
The adoption of this amendment would clarify and modernize the oath of office taken by all elected and appointed officials of whom the oath is required. the new oath will be "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the constitution of the United states, and the constitution of the State of wyoming, that I have not knowingly violated any law related to my election or appointment, or caused it to be done by others, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

The oath in it's current state is more specific in what it constitutes as "violating the law", stating "I have not paid or contributed, or promised to pay or contribute, directly or indirectly, any money or valuable thing, to procure my nomination or election, except for necessesary and proper expenses allowed by law." In other words, I didn't lie, cheat or steal to win my postition. I dunno, it seems using the phrase "knowingly violated any law" leaves a wide open gap for someone to say "Gee, I didn't know I was breaking the law when I gave a considerable donation to such-and-such a group for their support". Sounds like the setup for a loophole to me.
Here is the full text in .pdf form.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment B
The passage of this amendment would change the requirement for petition signatures for an initiative or referendum. Currently a petition must be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of the quilified voters in at least two-thirds of the counties, as determined by those who voted in the last general election. This amendment would change the requirement to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in at least two-thirds of the senate districts, as determined by those who voted in the last general election.

O.K., pop quiz. How many citizen-activated initiatives have made it to a Wyoming ballot since 1996? The answer? None. Wyoming already has one of the most stringent requirements to put an initiative or referendum (I&R) on the ballot in the first place. With this amendment, instead of needing 15% of the signatures of registered voters in 16 of our 23 counties, the amendment would require 15% of registered voter signatures in 20 out of our 30 senate districts. This difficultly level in getting placed on a ballot is a two-headed beast. We don't need to see frivolous I&R's on the ballot, true. But it shouldn't be near impossible to get to vote on initiatives that address the concerns of Wyoming citizens. Statistically, getting any type of I&R on the ballot under this new proposal would be harder.
Here is the full text of Amendment B in .pdf form.

To amend, or not to amend, that is the question. It's our choice, folks.

Wyoming, vote with your absentee ballot today!

In Wyoming, you are allowed to vote 40 days before the General Election. This means you can vote NOW! There are two ways to vote by absentee ballot. First, you may go directly to the office of the county clerk. That's 800 9th St, downtown Wheatland for Platte County. You know the building. Grab a ballot, fill it out, and hand it in right there. Piece of cake. Secondly, you can request an absentee ballot be mailed to you by calling the county clerk (322-2315) or submitting your name, residence address, mailing address, and birth date or Social Security Number. Once your information is verified, your ballot will be sent by mail.

All ballots must be in by November 4th, at 7 p.m. and can be returned in person or by mail. If you are in the military or overseas, go to http://www.fvap.gov.index.html/ for an application for an absentee ballot.

If you're going to be busy November 4th, or happen to be bad at remembering dates, why not contact our county clerk and vote now!

Gary Trauner 3rd Ad 2008

Lummis' Press Secretary Caught Calling Trauner

This is a good example of sneaky politics. The old "call-in-to-ask-a-question-to-your-opponent-and-pretend-you're-someone-else" trick. Well, Rachael Seidenschnur got busted and now she finds herself removed from the Lummis campaign. Serves her right. This just shows that Trauner is the right choice for Wyoming. No dirty politics. For more on Rachael AKA Sierra, check here.

Platte County Democrats Meet the Candidates

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Sunday October 12th is your chance to meet the candidates! Take the time to come meet the candidates running for legislature, including Gary Trauner, Nick Carter, Chris Rothfuss, Terry Jones, Joe Reichardt, and others.
When: Sun, Oct 12, 2pm – 4pm
Where: First State Bank Conference Center, Wheatland, WY

Gary Trauner 2nd Commercial 2008