I like the fact that "regular Joes" can and do run for elected office. Where there were two candidates (Frank Guinta, Bob Bestani), there are now three: Mike Castaldo.
He had an Op-Ed in the Union Leader declaring that he was in. Standard fare, all the right words in all the right places. Sufficient for an opener, I guess. His website (not accessible at the time of this writing) I hope has more details.
I am a proud, happily married father of three boys. Solidly working class, my wife and I struggle each day to put food on our table and keep a roof over our heads. We worry about our job security, health care, paying our taxes and President Obama’s trillion-dollar deficits. The recent "economic downturn" has just made things that much tougher. And though our story is no different from the story of thousands of other Granite State families, you would be forgiven for believing that Washington’s Republican leadership — and its hand-selected New Hampshire candidates — don’t even know that we exist.
I’m betting one detail is not there:
Last Friday, ONE was featured on a segment of WMUR-TV Channel 9’s show called New Hampshire Chronicle. The segment explains what ONE is, as well as highlighting our historic efforts during the 2008 First in the Nation New Hampshire Primary and beyond.
Tom Hart, ONE’s Director of Government Relations also makes an appearance, as does “ONE’s Marine”, Michael Castaldo.
All ONE members should know: We are not there yet, but we are headed in the right direction!
There is one and only one item to ONE’s agenda:
Lobby government officials to spend taxpayer money on their issues.
From their website:
In 2008, ONE members rallied across America to urge the candidates to make bold commitments [using other peoples money -Skip] in the fight against global disease and extreme poverty. In January, President Obama entered the Oval Office, having made the most significant promises to fight extreme poverty of any American President in history- he pledged to double U.S. foreign assistance from $25b to $50b during his presidency. Now, ONE’s U.S. legislative agenda is to help turn these promises into reality.
Our top priority for 2009 is to increase poverty-fighting aid by $4 billion to put the president on track to keep his promise [again, his promise, other peoples’ money -Skip]. More importantly, this funding would begin to deliver the results in health, education, and economic development that President Obama articulated. We are also seeking reform and elevation of U.S. development assistance structures to improve efficiency, coordination and results.
Notice what is not there:
To simply ask citizens for donations for their cause.
In other words, Mr. Castaldo is in favor of what the Left constantly is agitating for:
making the US taxpayer the ATM of the world
Now, couple that with this. A huge difference in philosophy, as it is always easier to persuade / arm twist a few government officials to give of the nation’s treasury (many are worn down already from the constant whining "give me more") consisting of other peoples’ money rather than solely going after individual’s with their own money. This is a Conservative? Sorry, I cannot reconcile the title of "Conservative" to anyone who is more than happy to lobby government for more spending. I ask this new "Conservative":
- Conservatives wish to decrease the size and scope of Government – how can you explain that actively lobbying for ONE to spend MORE, to insert MORE Government into its citizens’ wallets, be the act of a Conservative?
- Conservatives believe that the individual should be preeminent above Government; Mike Castaldo with his association with ONE has shown that he believes that Government is the answer and not the people – tell me, how is this NOT a complete repudiation of conservative (and libertarian) philosophy?
- How can this "Conservative" explain to me that taking more from other people simply to give it to others is a conservative action? Conservatives, by definition, do not coerce others to charity by the force of government extracting more taxes. Rather, a conservative will ask individuals, not government, to voluntarily give to charitable causes.
So far, this smells of a "co-opting" until I can see his website or –
I thank him, as I thank my son, for his time in serving our country as a U.S. Marine – Semper Fi! As a prior Marine, he knows that life has hard questions for each of us – now he needs to start answering this most difficult of political questions – you have injected doubt right out of the gate; now what? He’s welcome to come on Meet The New Press – just like ALL candidates of all political stripes. While we have more of a "bite" and attitude here on the ‘Grok, we are a "NO sandbag" zone on MTNP. We will ask hard questions, but respectfully. But we do want answers.
An update before the post:
Once again, the ‘Net can be of great use but woe to those that believe that one can say one thing in one place and the opposite somewhere else. Like this!
For instance, read what he said about Obama after the jump (emphasis mine) – my thoughts go to "cult of personality"!
So, is Mr. Castaldo about to repudiate his fervor concerning Obama? From the ONE website:
Today was a historic day by any measure. The people have spoken and a new President will guide our nation for the next four years. For those of us here in New Hampshire the Inauguration of our 44th President was the end of a two year tour de force of presidential candidates. Each had their own agenda and each listened to ONE members, and agreed.
For me it was a whirlwind of events. My own life left me in a position where I had reliable transportation, a supportive wife and family; plus resources to cover the expenses incurred from traveling. I needed no motivation. To know that I was in a position to effect change I only needed guidance. I had the “One Candidate Tracker” and a great regional ONE co-coordinator Mathew Bartlett who kept me focused and informed. It may have been my fat face in the pics on the blog but you can bet Matty was behind them if not literally, figuratively.
I very clearly remember the first time I saw President Obama. It was at the VFW in East Rochester NH. I had been yuking it up with one of my reporter friends and overhear the speaker who was introducing the person who would be introducing the then Senator, so I and the reporter perked up and silently split up – him to be ready to take notes and me to take my seat. This took us on different paths. Mine led me down a dark hall and after turning a corner standing just a few feet from the man of the hour… his head was lowered, his breathing deliberate and his eyes closed. It was obvious he was about to use his words as best he could to effect the emotion he felt. My camera as usual was hanging from it wrist strap but I knew in an instant that this moment was not for the public. I had stumbled upon a man in deep thought about to give his first stump speech in the Granite State. This was not the time for flash bulbs. After his speech ended I waited patiently for a photo op and was rewarded not only by the opportunity to speak to and have a picture taken with Senator Obama but to have the picture taken by his aide and confidant Reggie Love. This was the last time the Senator and I would meet without “Americas Best” The United States Secret Service also being there.
Good manners and a great cause seemed to serve me well for even with the Secret Service there to protect the Senator; HE always made sure to seek me and my family out. I know my sons do not appreciate it now, but of all the great people on this earth very few have had the good fortune to shake the hand of an American President. They have more than once. Not only have they met him they have talked to him about the worlds poorest, about reaching out to those less fortunate than themselves. They have started to learn to care and they have started to learn they can use their voice to effect change.
My eyes have started to well at the thought of them realizing in ten or twenty years time what they have done. When the headlines read “EXTREME POVERTY HISTORY” they can point with pride to the family photo album. Wow.
Always searching for the perfect question, I had one ready for Senator Obama after he won the Iowa Caucus. The only issue was when would I get to ask it? I did not have to wait long… before I woke it was announced he would be touching down at Pease Tradeport 15 minutes from my house the following morning! Well I was out of my depth at that point – we were in general election mode – there were now hundreds of PRESS and thousands of lookieloos plus too many supporters to count. I could not get near my friend (the Senator) and even my reporter friend that I had been chatting to at his first event had not time for me. The Secret Service was super and supportive but even they can only do so much. Disappointed, I consoled myself with the fact that being near the back of the room I could make a hasty exit and beat the crowd out of the parking lot… I did and headed home. Half way home I got a call from that same reporter – he was sorry he did not have time to chat but wanted to let me know that the Senator was on his way to an impromptu stop at a coffee shop in my home town. I made a beeline for it and beat even the ‘advance people’.
I had my question ready and only needed to get it out without saying something stupid or unintelligible. When the door swung open he strode directly towards me and suck out his hand.
I asked my question “Mr. Senator in your Inaugural Address will you remember the worlds poorest billion? He looked like he wanted to laugh because it was like we were reading lines from a play, and said “I always do”. If it were not so serious a subject I am sure we could have had more fun with it. Then it was time for our friend Reggie Love to take a pic – for some reason I did not smile when the shutter opened 🙁
I did not ask any other candidate the same question. Today I heard that candidate as President of the United States of America remember the worlds poorest in his Inaugural Address. Today I heard the power of ONE voice.
-Michael Castaldo
Sound like any Conservative you know? Gee, Mr. Castaldo, thanks for asking ME for my money. Oh, you didn’t – just Obama? Gee, thanks…..Government never asks….
(H/T: Pro-Liberty friends!)
