Candidates I'm Voting For

I've decided to put in my vote for Lenny Ladner in the Democrat Primary while considering between Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr for President.

Another candidate worth supporting is Michael Dohihe:

By Gary Gray - Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier - Published: July 29, 2008

Democrat Michael Donihe says he brings a clean slate to the race for the congressional seat held by U.S. House Rep. David Davis, R-1st.

“I have no ties to any business or organization, but only to the citizens of the 1st District of Tennessee,” he said in a recent interview.

Though Donihe, 48, has never served in an elected office, he said his top priority would be to do away with the Federal Reserve – a pretty bold subject that not many candidates have broached.

“We’re facing times worse than the Great Depression,” he said. “I saw my parents when I was growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, and they got to enjoy the American dream.”

Donihe says Congress must abolish the Fed – an institution he calls “the central bank for profit, which does not act in the interests of the average American.”

“I think Congress needs to work at banking reform,” he said. “Inflation has grown dramatically since the creation of the Fed. The Federal Reserve was originally created to make sure we didn’t have to suffer through a depression. Over the past 10 years, I’m paying double for things and getting less.”

He also blasted NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, as not being “free trade” at all.

“I’m not a protectionist, but NAFTA is managed by the elite,” he said. “We’re seeing our jobs leaving our country. The nation that produces nothing will not survive.”
The Kingsport resident, who works for that city’s building maintenance facility as a general laborer, also believes the government should be looking at alternative energy sources such as nuclear and solar. He said he thinks there are untapped oil surpluses available in Montana , Kansas and the Dakotas .

“It’s not just about ANWR [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] or offshore drilling,” he said.

When asked how he would shore up Social Security and make health care affordable for all Americans, Donihe again referred back to the current monetary system.

“Without addressing our monetary problem first, we can never fix health care to be more affordable or accessible, in addition to any other consumer services,” he said. “Social Security is definitely in jeopardy. People have been putting into the system all their lives, and they won’t be getting anything back.”

Calling Social Security and Medicare “socialistic programs,” Donihe suggested a return to the use of gold and silver as “intrinsic” currency. Donihe said the Fed is creating money from thin air to cover loans and debt services incurred by both government and consumers by printing and circulating more and more money.

Meanwhile, Donihe favors withdrawing troops from Iraq immediately, but by the safest means possible.

He also said America is not truly engaged in a “war on terror.” If so, why are American borders left open and illegal aliens given free checking accounts and subsidies without proper identification, he asked.

During a recent visit to the Herald Courier, Donihe acknowledged it would be tough for a Democrat to win in a district that historically votes Republican.

“I know what my chances are,” he said.

The primaries will be held Aug. 7 and the election is on Nov. 4.