I Know I Am Not Supposed To....But

I know I am not supposed to, but the time is right. I am endorsing Jim Neal for US Senate. It was tough for me to do this. I am a candidate and I am not supposed to take sides in any race. Even tougher is the candidate I am opposing here is a friend and a power house in my home county. I thought long and hard about this decision as I know both candidates fairly well.

Some of the deciding factors for me have to do with issues. Some are personal. I like where Jim stands on building business, homegrown businesses. We have similar views on a number of issues including our views on Iraq, economic security and most of our views on health care. Kay Hagan's telecom immunity comments were a big factor, as I can not support anyone who would give the telecoms immunity and in essence support domestic spying.

It should say a lot when two of the most respected female legislators in Guilford County, both of whom I respect and admire greatly, come out for Jim Neal.

I have tried to work with both camps in the Senate race and the only one that will give me the time of day is Jim's. The straw that broke the camels back however, Kay Hagan will speak at one of my primary opponent's events. This is after pledging to help my campaign and never following through.

So, she has taken a side and I too have chosen. Not because of her speaking. Let's be very frank about that. It just shows that my opponent represents the same interests as Kay, that being the interest of the establishment. It was far more than that. Jim had me on board at Kay's immunity statement. It also has to do with trust. People have lost trust in the system and the elected officials that are supposed to represent them. When a politician at any level of the game tells me one thing and does something completely different, it becomes evident that I can no longer trust that person. So I understand how the general public feels when they watch the news. I understand their lack of trust in the system and that is exactly why I am running. To quote a Rage Against the Machine lyric, it's time to "Take the Power Back"! I believe that I stand for these ideals, I also believe that Jim Neal stands for these ideals. I believe that everyone posting here regularly stands for these ideals. It is a revolution, between those who want change and those who stand for the establishment. For the good of this country and its people, those who want change must win.

Politics is a dirty business. You find out that you have true friends in this game. You also find out that the people you thought were your friends turn out not to be. But so is life.

Jim, let me know what you need. A line has been drawn in the sand and we stand on the same side. So let's take the power back. Together we can change!