ACT in the NZ elections 2008

In the post below is a list of electorates in New Zealand, the MP who won the seat and the margin of votes in which the candidate won the seat.

While I am here in Italy, I certainly have a bit of time to put some effort into this blog so I thought about how ACT can get at least 10% in the next election which will probably give them the balance of power hopefully with their logical ally and effective cousin National .

Now this is all hypothetical and it is based on the previous election in which Labour came out ahead so really I am sure this will be picked to pieces by anyone who is an expert in these fields but...

If ACT was to get 1/2 of the margin that the winning MP got over the second candidate then it would equate to about 10.33% of the vote without taking the local MP favorites away from the voting public. I did not count the Maori seats or Epsom, although the mathematicians out there wont take more than 3 or 4 minutes to figure it out.

I have also identified seats in which the margin is about 4% or less. These are the seats where competent ACT candidates should run for the seat and give it 100%. These seats are:

East Coast: Which went to National with a vote margin of 1219
Hamilton West: which went to Labour with a margin of 825
Otaki: Which went to Labour with a margin of only 382 votes
Rotorua: Went to Labour with a margin of only 662 votes
Taupo: Labour with a margin of 1285 votes
and
Tauranga which should be left to National's Simon Bridges who will make a brilliant MP.
(margin 730)

So taking Tauranga out of it, and adding Epsom for Rodney there are 6 electorates in NZ in the forthcoming election that ACT should seriously have a go at. Along with 1 in ten people voting for ACT with a Party vote getting about 10% or slightly more then ACT are in a serious position to make a difference in NZ. The public of NZ are looking for a change and are slightly weary of the two main parties. This would provide a change for the better for all New Zealander's and would give National weary supporters strength in knowing that effective cousin ACT is there for stability and verification.

I have mentioned to Rodney a way that I think will get as much as 15-20%+ of the party vote. Time will tell if ACT use that idea..... If I can take a page out of Sen Barack's book I would have to agree and say that it is time for change. If National get over a 50% majority will that necessarily make for a better NZ, or will it make for a regime that makes all of the decisions as they please without being checked on the consequences? Time will tell.

NZ election results 2005

Electorate	Result	Winning Candidate	2nd Place	Margin
Aoraki	100.0%	GOODHEW, Jo (NAT)	SUTTON, Jim (LAB)	6,937
Auckland Central	100.0%	TIZARD, Judith (LAB)	WONG, Pansy (NAT)	3,884
Banks Peninsula	100.0%	DYSON, Ruth (LAB)	CARTER, David (NAT)	1,923
Bay of Plenty	100.0%	RYALL, Tony (NAT)	SCOTT, Pauline (LAB)	13,584
Christchurch Central	100.0%	BARNETT, Tim (LAB)	WAGNER, Nicky (NAT)	7,836
Christchurch East	100.0%	DALZIEL, Lianne (LAB)	ROUND, David John (NAT)	11,973
Clevedon	100.0%	COLLINS, Judith (NAT)	HEREORA, David Murray (LAB)	12,871
Clutha-Southland	100.0%	ENGLISH, Bill (NAT)	TALBOT, David (LAB)	13,032
Coromandel	100.0%	GOUDIE, Sandra (NAT)	PURNELL, Max (LAB)	10,578
Dunedin North	100.0%	HODGSON, Pete (LAB)	RICH, Katherine (NAT)	7,630
Dunedin South	100.0%	BENSON-POPE, David Henry (LAB)	POWELL, Conway (NAT)	10,640
East Coast	100.0%	TOLLEY, Anne (NAT)	MACKEY, Moana Lynore (LAB)	1,219
East Coast Bays	100.0%	McCULLY, Murray (NAT)	McCRACKEN, Hamish (LAB)	7,286
Epsom	100.0%	HIDE, Rodney (ACT)	WORTH, Richard (NAT)	3,102
Hamilton East	100.0%	BENNETT, David (NAT)	YATES, Dianne Fae (LAB)	5,298
Hamilton West	100.0%	GALLAGHER, Martin Owen (LAB)	MACINDOE, Tim (NAT)	825
Helensville	100.0%	KEY, John (NAT)	LAWLEY, Judy (LAB)	12,778
Hutt South	100.0%	MALLARD, Trevor (LAB)	THOMAS, Rosemarie (NAT)	5,740
Ilam	100.0%	BROWNLEE, Gerry (NAT)	BLANCHARD, Julian (LAB)	7,821
Invercargill	100.0%	ROY, Eric (NAT)	HARPUR, Wayne (LAB)	2,052
Kaikoura	100.0%	KING, Colin (NAT)	BURNS, Brendon (LAB)	4,675
Mana	100.0%	LABAN, Winnie (LAB)	FINLAYSON, Christopher (NAT)	6,734
Mangere	100.0%	FIELD, Taito Phillip (LAB)	SIMICH, Clem (NAT)	16,020
Manukau East	100.0%	ROBERTSON, Ross (LAB)	YEE, Ken (NAT)	9,890
Manurewa	100.0%	HAWKINS, George Warren (LAB)	AIONO, Fepulea'i Ulua'ipou-O-Malo (NAT)	11,707
Maungakiekie	100.0%	GOSCHE, Mark (LAB)	GOLDSMITH, Paul (NAT)	6,450
Mt Albert	100.0%	CLARK, Helen Elizabeth (LAB)	MUSUKU, Ravi (NAT)	14,749
Mt Roskill	100.0%	GOFF, Phil (LAB)	BLUE, Jackie (NAT)	9,895
Napier	100.0%	TREMAIN, Chris (NAT)	FAIRBROTHER, Russell (LAB)	3,591
Nelson	100.0%	SMITH, Nick (NAT)	McCUTCHEON, Jen (LAB)	10,226
New Lynn	100.0%	CUNLIFFE, David (LAB)	HARRIS, Mita (NAT)	8,078
New Plymouth	100.0%	DUYNHOVEN, Harry (LAB)	IRVING, Moira (NAT)	5,439
North Shore	100.0%	MAPP, Wayne (NAT)	TWYFORD, Phil (LAB)	9,701
Northcote	100.0%	COLEMAN, Jonathan (NAT)	HARTLEY, Ann (LAB)	2,383
Northland	100.0%	CARTER, John (NAT)	JONES, Shane Geoffrey (LAB)	9,275
Ohariu-Belmont	100.0%	DUNNE, Peter (UFNZ)	CHAUVEL, Charles (LAB)	7,702
Otago	100.0%	DEAN, Jacqui (NAT)	PARKER, David (LAB)	1,995
Otaki	100.0%	HUGHES, Darren (LAB)	GUY, Nathan (NAT)	382
Pakuranga	100.0%	WILLIAMSON, Maurice (NAT)	WOOD, Michael Philip (LAB)	9,582
Palmerston North	100.0%	MAHAREY, Steven (LAB)	PLIMMER, Malcolm (NAT)	5,500
Piako	100.0%	TISCH, Lindsay (NAT)	MORONEY, Sue (LAB)	8,351
Port Waikato	100.0%	HUTCHISON, Paul (NAT)	WALL, Louisa (LAB)	13,498
Rakaia	100.0%	CONNELL, Brian (NAT)	MILNE, Tony Robert (LAB)	10,448
Rangitikei	100.0%	POWER, Simon (NAT)	BROWN, Marilyn (LAB)	9,660
Rimutaka	100.0%	SWAIN, Paul (LAB)	LEDDY, Mike (NAT)	8,277
Rodney	100.0%	SMITH, Lockwood (NAT)	DUNLOP, Tony (LAB)	11,536
Rongotai	100.0%	KING, Annette Faye (LAB)	YOUNG, Nicola M J (NAT)	12,638
Rotorua	100.0%	CHADWICK, Stephanie (Steve) (LAB)	STEHBENS, Gil (NAT)	662
Tamaki	100.0%	PEACHEY, Allan (NAT)	BOYLE, Leila (LAB)	9,510
Taranaki-King Country	100.0%	ARDERN, Shane (NAT)	STREET, Maryan (LAB)	13,118
Taupo	100.0%	BURTON, Mark (LAB)	KIRTON, Weston Mervyn (NAT)	1,285
Tauranga	100.0%	CLARKSON, Bob (NAT)	PETERS, Winston (NZF)	730
Te Atatu	100.0%	CARTER, Chris (LAB)	HENARE, Tau (NAT)	10,447
Tukituki	100.0%	FOSS, Craig (NAT)	BARKER, Rick (LAB)	2,402
Waimakariri	100.0%	COSGROVE, Clayton (LAB)	WILKINSON, Kate (NAT)	5,606
Wairarapa	100.0%	HAYES, John (NAT)	MacKENZIE, Denise (LAB)	2,752
Waitakere	100.0%	PILLAY, Lynne (LAB)	BENNETT, Paula (NAT)	4,942
Wellington Central	100.0%	HOBBS, Marian (LAB)	BLUMSKY, Mark (NAT)	6,180
West Coast-Tasman	100.0%	O'CONNOR, Damien Peter (LAB)	AUCHINVOLE, Chris (NAT)	2,154
Whanganui	100.0%	BORROWS, Chester (NAT)	PETTIS, Jill (LAB)	2,402
Whangarei	100.0%	HEATLEY, Phil (NAT)	CHALMERS, Paul (LAB)	9,089
Wigram	100.0%	ANDERTON, Jim (JAP)	LOMAX, Allison (NAT)	8,548
Ikaroa-Rawhiti	100.0%	HOROMIA, Parekura (LAB)	POANANGA, Atareta (MAOR)	1,932
Tainui	100.0%	MAHUTA, Nanaia (LAB)	GREENSILL, Angeline (MAOR)	1,860
Tamaki Makaurau	100.0%	SHARPLES, Pita Russell (MAOR)	TAMIHERE, John (LAB)	2,127
Te Tai Hauauru	100.0%	TURIA, Tariana (MAOR)	MASON, Errol (LAB)	5,113
Te Tai Tokerau	100.0%	HARAWIRA, Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene (MAOR)	SAMUELS, Dover (LAB)	3,613
Te Tai Tonga	100.0%	OKEROA, Mahara (LAB)	OHIA, Monte (MAOR)	2,503
Waiariki	100.0%	FLAVELL, Te Ururoa (MAOR)	RIRINUI, Mita (LAB)	2,871

On Holiday in Europe

I am currently situated in Corsanico, which is in Tuscany in Italy. It is very nice here. I am staying the www.d-h-h.com house here with my family and friends. (Not a free bee). It is very nice here with about 2 acres, a pool and guest house, spectacular views and even a cherry tree ripe for the picking. I am also particularly impressed with the BMW X5 diesel (Just like Pablo's) which has plenty of power and lasts about 400 miles on a fuel tank. Bring on the BMW diesels in the USA. I flew in yesterday from Glasgow in Scotland where I visited cousin Derek and his lady and twins. The twins were very well behaved for nearly being 2 and the haggis and irn bru, which is a favorite of mine, tasted just as good this time as it did 7 years ago, even better.
Here for another couple of days, then a quick stop off in Munich and London then back to Los Angeles for my friends Kristin and Scott's wedding. What a fun week.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

It seems that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is going to be a tire smoking power house. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 is expected to produce 556 horsepower at 6,100rpm and 551 pound-feet of torque at 3,800rpm. Cadillac claims the CTS-V sedan will go from 0-to-60mph in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter mile in 12 seconds flat. Now that my friends is FAST.

Top speed when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission is limited to 175mph. Get the six-speed manual and you’re free to run all the way to 191mph. Autobahn type situation on our hands courtesy of Detroit.

Even with gas at about $5 per gallon, if it is as economical as it's cousin the Corvette ZO6 then this may well be the candidate for my next vehicle.

Senator Ted Kennedy has milignant brain cancer

Wish Sen Kennedy a speedy recovery...

Te he he T-Shirts

Would you go shooting with Dick, or take a car ride with Ted?

Is Obama a snob???

Do you find Hilary hilarious?

or

The terrorist's lodgings!!!

and

signing off.

Ananda's War

This is a video about Ananda McClure who is an Iraqi war Veteran x 3 and a good friend of mine. He committed suicide in May 2006 and producer Erica Bardin has made an exceptional documentary about him and his life. It brings to attention that there are certainly more Veterans out there, from many countries, in a similar position to Ananda, who deserve our help whether you believe in the war(s) or not . The video is 25 minutes long.

Sen Joh McCain on Letterman April 1st 2008

Senator Mccain has a good sense of humor :-)

ACT is back???

It seems that ACT is beginning to prepare for a successful bid in the NZ general election which will be held later this year. Party co founder Sir Roger Douglas is back fighting for the party after a sabbatical. He and ACT leader Rodney Hide have put their previous differences apart and are working well together at once again raising ACT's profile with the general public.

Rodney is reasonably well known as the pitbull MP who went dancing with the stars and is practically half the man he used to be, having lost a tremendous amount of weight and got fit.

Sir Roger is known as a forward thinker who has a uncanny knack of commanding attention and making changes. I find it very interesting that within a couple of weeks of getting invited back and putting his hat in the ring, Sir Roger has managed to get constant write ups in the press, has the current Finance Minister making comment on his return as well as the leader of the opposition John Key.

I think that Sir Roger has the ability to stir the pot and ACT has now created an opening for the voting public of NZ for a genuine point of difference. Labour is stagnant and National is not being aggressive enough to really make a point of difference from Labour. ACT is.

I think that people of any country want the benefit at least these 3 things.

1. More available funds without high inflation. The ability to make your earned income go further

2. The ability to "Green up" and implement change to decrease environmental damage and independence of foreign oil.

3. Safety and security. Knowing that law enforcement and the government is there to protect you, your family and your country.

I am sure that any reasonable thinking voter in New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, Iraq, Australia and the world weather they are left, right or independent thinking would fundamentally agree with 1-3 above. It is not too difficult to implement 1-3 above, but first you need to identify a party that is actually going to make the changes. ACT!

When taxes are lowered, it is unwise to increase spending. ACT proposes to decrease taxes which is a benefit for all legally earning taxpayers on all levels of the financial spectrum. ACT proposes (as it always has) to not increase spending from the current levels.

It always amazes me that the Green party manages to get a rather high poll rating in comparison to other parties. Most of the Green Party candidates are not necessarily the folk that you'd like to have in control of the country are they?, but some of their policies are great.

It seems that the public would take the punt on giving the Greens a taste of power if it only means that they will implement some of their policy. Well ACT is here.... ACT has a "smart Green" policy. It is not good enough just to be green, you have to be smart about it. Allowing investment in reducing dependence on foreign oil, creating energy security and economic policies that facilitate environmental innovation are good for the country and good for our response to shifting environmental threats. Isn't it best to have a party that is not only green, but innovative, economically savvy and motivated to put more of your income in your hand?
ACT could take it a step further by using Rodney's previous training and putting forward a plan that could or would allow NZ to be oil independent in 20 years using renewable resources.

Security is an important factor for anyone. It is important that changes are made to provide and supply more police who are trained correctly and are heading in the right direction. You hear of people in distress having to catch a taxi because the police are busy, people afraid to venture out at night and police failing to arrive to inspect a property when a burglary or break in has occurred, but when you go 10 KPH over the speed limit there is always plenty of police to revenue gather and give you a fine. Seems that the priorities given by the government need to change don't you think? Labour has been in since 1999.... Change is not coming from Labour.

ACT proposes change, ACT instigates change and ACT will make changes for the benefit of all voters. All it takes is your understanding, acceptance, support and party vote for ACT (with the exception of Epsom where it is important to vote for the ACT candidate Rodney Hide MP.)

It is very likely that the next PM will be John Key which will be a boost for NZ. But you wouldn't necessarily give the keys to your new Holden with a full tank of gas to a learner driver who may not bring it back the same way you were hoping for. You need to have a trust worthy guardian with the driver and if John Key and National are the driver, then it is in the best interest of you the owner / voter to have ACT as the guardian. Do your research.... www.act.org.nz if you like what you see join, support, donate and vote ACT.

Australian F1 Grand Prix 2008

The Australian Grand Prix, the first of the 2008 Formula One season will be held on Sunday (Australian time) I would like to predict that Kimi Raikkonen will once again be World Champion with Ferrari. I think he may just win in Melbourne this weekend too??? It is going to be an exciting year in F1. hope Australia is still on the F1 circuit this time next year?.

March 13th 2008 :-)

Ralph Nader is running for President of the USA

Ralph Nader has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2008 Presidential elections. This will be his 5th time running for President (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008) and some say that he was the reason that Albert Gore didn't clinch the Presidency in 2000. What does this mean for the Republican and Democratic contendors if anything? He is probably good for 1-4% of the vote which could just tip the balance of power.
This is already an exciting race for President, it now gets more interesting. Question of the week....Will Bloomberg also run for President as an independent in 2008?????

Virgin Airlines runs a 747 on Coconut oil.

According to Fox news, Virgin Atlantic carried out the world's first flight of a commercial aircraft powered with biofuel on Sunday in an effort to show it can produce less carbon dioxide than normal jet fuels.

"This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected," Sir Richard Branson, the airline's president, said before the Boeing 747 flew from London's Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

He said the flight would provide "crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint," he said.

Sunday's flight was partially fueled with a biofuel mixture of coconut and babassu oil in one of its four main fuel tanks. The jet carried pilots and several technicians, but no passengers. It was not a 100% bio fuel flight, they just piped some of it into one engine, but it is a GOOD start.

Virgin Atlantic spokesman Paul Charles predicted this biofuel would produce much less CO2 than regular jet fuel, but said it will take weeks to analyze the data from Sunday's flight.

The flight is the latest example of how the world's airlines are jumping on the environmental bandwagon by trying to find ways of reducing aviation's carbon footprint. Air New Zealand and Rolls Royce (airplane engines) has something on the go to be tested soon.

These efforts have included finding alternative jet fuels, developing engines that burn existing fuels more slowly, and changing the way planes land.

The experiment by Virgin Atlantic and its partners -- Boeing, General Electric and Imperium Renewables -- also comes at a time when high oil prices and the U.S. economic slowdown are promoting consolidation in the airline industry.

Charles said Virgin's Boeing 747-400 jet and its engines did not have to be redesigned to use biofuel on the test flight.

He said CO2 emissions on a normal flight are generally three times the fuel burned, and that technical engineers on the test flight would take readings and analyze data to estimate its greenhouse gas emissions.

This could be a great change in emissions from airplanes. Thing is that bio fuel tends to burn more rapidly which results in a reduced range. I will be very interested to see the results of this test when they are available.

Good on you Virgin and Sir Richard...

Fidel Castro steps down

It has been a long spell for Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz born in August 13th 1926. He has been in power in Cuba since 1959, but today he will resign his post to be replaced by someone else.
That person is likely Fidel's brother Raul, but that will not be confirmed until the end of the day.
Raul has been acting President of Cuba since July 31st 2006 when Fidel became reclusive after surgery so chances for him are good. Question is: Will Cuba change under Raul, or will it be an extension of Fidel and his dictatorship? Time will tell.

Grand Prix manager is back

Log in and sign up. See if you can beat me this year.... That is a challenge.

Mitt Romney drops out. News Flash

Willard "Mitt" Romney has dropped out of the Republican race for the President of the USA today. This leaves Mike Huckabee and John McCain in the race. I would suspect that Huckabee will probably pull out in the next two weeks and endorse John McCain. Lets hope that John McCain's speech at the CPAC convention convinces the movement that he is the man for the job.
*** Update. I watched John McCain's CPAC speech and it was particularly good......

Giuliani and Edwards end their race for President

Former NYC Mayor and previous Republican front runner for the Presidential Elections, Rudy Giuliani is to end his quest for the Republican nomination today. He is set to endorse Sen John McCain of Arizona. He seemed to put all of his eggs in one basket in campaigning hard in Florida while ignoring most of the other states in the Republican Primaries. He needed to win Florida to get momentum for super duper Tuesday next week. He didn't win Florida, John McCain did. Maybe there will be a job as Attorney General in the McCain Whitehouse for Rudy? This leaves Former Governor Willard (Mitt) Romney, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Sen John McCain as the serious contenders with Rep. Ron Paul hanging in there like relatives looking for a slice of the inheritance.
Former Senator and VP Candidate in the 2004 elections John Edwards is dropping out of the Democratic run. He has not won any States to date and is bowing out graciously. No word on who he will endorse, but I am having a suspicion that it may be Sen Obama. Time will tell, there is a 50% chance that I am right. This leaves Sen Obama and Sen Clinton as the two Democratic candidates duking it out to become the Presidential nominee.
Super duper Tuesday is going to be an interesting day in US Politics. Anything is possible.

Cr. Bhatnagar considers retracting his comments

Further to my post below about Cr. Aaron Bhatnagar making the statement that a future development in Orakei looks like "East Germany by the sea". I have noticed on his blog that he is considering retracting his comment for this one......

"If Paris Hilton and Mohammed Al-Fayed were locked in a room and told they were not to be released until they had co-designed a set of apartment blocks, then the garages for the fleet of pink Bentley convertibles would probably look a little like what is proposed for the end of Orakei Rd."

While this is certainly not a compliment in any sense of the word, his comments may well raise peoples interest in the project as something that are worthy of a pink Bentley convertible to reside at?

It does appear that Miss Hilton drives a blue Bentley GTC........

"East Germany by the sea" Quote of the day.

Upon reading the NZHerald online this morning, I came across todays quote of the day which had me chuckling for a while.

It appears that developer Mr Tony Gapes plans to build 146 apartments on the water's edge at Orakei in Auckland. It seems that there is about 500 folk who find this to be not such a good idea.

Mr Gapes will start a two-week public hearing today for resource consent before many of the opponents give evidence against what local Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar has called "East Germany by the sea".

I can just imagine the developers and designers delight in having created designs on something so unique in the Southern Hemisphere.

My take on the upcoming US presidential elections

It has been some time since I sat down and made a concerted effort to prepare an entry to this blog. I feel that now is as good a time as any. We have the primaries happening all over the place for the upcoming elections in NOVEMBER for the President of the United States of America, and that will be the primary topic I will be discussing.

Firstly, I have taken the time to watch as many of the televised debates (both Democratic and Republican) that I have known about, there seems to be one or two every week at the moment. The more I watch these guys in action the more I feel that I am an independent. There is good from both sides, and negativity on both sides, but it really comes down to who I think is the best person to represent the USA on the world stage at this critical time, and who is less likely to make a mockery of the Presidency. A lot of it comes down to the person who will be the best Diplomat, with the best personality who is not going to whimper when important decisions need to be made.

Secondly I really feel that the Democrats and Republicans are a similar person with different hats. When you put the candidates next to each other with exception of a few differences (some fundamental) they could be running a stump speech for either party. Really it comes down to weather you feel that the war in Iraq should end forthwith, or not. Weather you think abortion should be legal, or not. Weather you think that there should be tax cuts, or not. Weather you think we should create a energy independence and how fast you can do it, and if you think that the Immigration policy (particularly for folks from Mexico) should be altered.

When it comes to the war in Iraq there are candidates from both sides that call for an immediate end. I am sure that there is only a small percentage of people living in the USA that thinks it should carry on for years to come, and I bet if GWB would admit to wanting to stop the whole thing if there was a plan to do so. Thing is is that there doesn't appear to be one. That being the case the next President needs to know what they are doing when it comes to this. Pledging that all of the troops will be out by the end of 2009 may not necessarily be the wisest thing for the troops, for the country (Iraq and USA) and for the security of the Middle East. For this subject, I believe John McCain would be the best candidate for President of the USA.

On the abortion Issue, I think it should be left up to the individual States to make their mind up. Although it is legal in most cases if the traditional Republican base had their way it would be an illegal process. I am sure that there are many Republicans that think it should be the ladies right to choose, they just can't say it if they really want to win. I don't think it should be an issue. For this subject I would need to vote for a Democratic candidate. In this case Barack Obama.

Tax cuts are a good thing in most circumstances. Tax cuts drive the economy, allow people to spend more of their own funds and if done correctly provide more tax revenue for the government that before the cut. Thing is that here in the good old USA there are a lot of loopholes that allow you to write everything off and lower the tax you pay. There are a lot of particular loopholes for corporations (so I understand) I believe in tax cuts if it is fair for everyone and isn't going to allow the extremely wealthy companies and individuals to have a specific benefit over those who are not wealthy. If you spent time on the ground in California, you will know that there are a LOT of homeless people and a lot of uncared for Veterans. They are basically John and Jane Doe's who would cost too much to help. If you break your leg while visiting USA and you forgot to get health insurance, you best mortgage the house (or sell it) to pay for your care. People go bankrupt in USA over medical bills which in other parts of the world would not be a big deal because of government medicine. The other thing that is in the hole is Social Security. It will be bankrupt in the not to distant future if changes are not made. These changes will need to be bi-partisan, but the President will need to be a phenomenal negotiator with big balls to sort this one out. It is impossible for the government of the USA to do anything about the homeless and the medical system without creating the revenue stream for it, social security has been pillaged and both sides are to blame. The person I would be happy handling these situations as the President on the USA is a tie between John McCain and Barack Obama.

All of the candidates think we should bump up the energy independence and lower our reliance on foreign entities. I think it is a major issue that all candidates take seriously. I thought the Bill Richardson the previous Secretary of Energy under #42 would have been a good one for this, but he pulled out of the running. Mit Romney wants to revive the auto industry in Detroit ( a state where his father was Governor) and the only way to do that is with world class energy technology. I will remain neutral on this one as if any candidate is telling 50% of the truth of what they are saying in the public domain, they all will make a difference in Energy policy. I do like the way Gov Huckabee says he will have USA energy independent by the time his second term is finished..... If with a bit more research that is possible, he may be the one.

Immigration is an interesting one. There is a lot of blood splattering all over the place with this one. It is beyond me why there is not a fence the length of the border of Mexico. It is clear that the illegal immigrants are creating a strain on the system. I can understand why they all want to be here, but it is ILLEGAL. I am not sure who to believe on this one really. There is NO WAY that anyone wants to allow an amnesty as the 40th President of the USA did. That really caused the problem that is here now. I think John McCain is trying to work something out that is fair, but most people didn't like it. I think Rudy has the right idea with tamper proof cards for foreigners. I actually came up with that idea with an old colleague of mine not so long ago. Change in immigration is necessary. The President who vows to build the fence and do something believable about the problem is going to be the best person for the job. Once again Gov Huckabee is looking strong in this area.It is going to be interesting tomorrow with the South Carolina primary Republican wise. Gov Huckabee is beginning to surge, McCain is strong, Romney is not doing too bad and Rudy needs a win along with Fred Thompson, or it will be endorse your favorite friend and get out. Rudy has gone down in the polls faster than you can imagine, but he says he is saving himself for Florida. I think he is treading water. Thompson was rather good in the Fox debate last week, but I think he will need to pull out something that no one has seen before to get ahead. In the Republicans I see it as a 3 way possibility for the nomination.

Senator John McCain
Governor Mike Huckabee
Governor Mit Romney.

I still stand by my remarks in an earlier blog that I would like John McCain to be President and Mike Huckabee to be Vice President on the Republican side.

With the Democrats. I see it as a 2 way race.

Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Barack Obama

I think both are capable, but it really is time for change.

I would like Barack Obama for President with Joe Biden for VP. I think that Bill Richardson would once again make a good Secretary of Energy.

Lets see what happens tomorrow in South Carolina............. Super Duper Tuesday and during the nominations. This is interesting times in the world of US politics.