A Real Plan For Change

I took some time late last week to look over the web sites for each of the mainstream candidates that remain in the presidential race.  I'd like to consider myself knowledgeable on the candidates in these elections, and in order to stay that way, it's required that I refresh the information I remember on each candidate, Ron Paul included.

While looking at Obama's "Blueprint for Change", I started to become nothing short of irate.  He offers promises and suggestions that sound amazing if you refuse to acknowledge the dependence that all of the issues have with each other.  Unfortunately, I can no longer say I live amongst the ranks of those unwilling to pay attention enough to make the connection.

To generalize my complaints with his plan, he offers more spending and decreased taxes to solve most of the problems that he feels we face as a country.  Regardless of whether or not I'm a Republican (or a Ron Paul Republican for that matter), that just doesn't sound right.  It seems that Obama, just like Clinton and McCain, is interested in addressing the issues, not the cause of those issues.

As Ron Paul's hopes of becoming the Republican nominee seem to dwindle (though, we wonder just how much so after things have been progressing similar to Nevada all over the place..), it makes me sad to know that not a single one of the three other options offers anything remotely close to the conservative principles that are needed to bring our country out of debt, our dollar out of the trash can, and our troops home from needless undeclared wars.

My vote will go to Ron Paul no matter what, I am not interested in betting on the sure winner.  I'm interested in voting for what I believe in.

 

Andy

Three Cups of Tea

Over a month ago, my grandparents suggested that Mom, Ashley and I read a book called 'Three Cups of Tea'.  The book chronicles the travels of a man named Greg Mortenson through areas of Central Asia (particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan).  The book was a wonderful read which I finished in a matter of 2-3 days.  I found myself very involved with the book throughout, never once finding a section boring or not worth reading.  Mortenson's proves that there are other ways of spreading peace in the world than through the point of a gun, a point this Ron Paul supporter can happily endorse.

If you're looking for an emotional and motivational read, I highly recommend this book.  The writing is plain, but captivating, a combination rarely seen in today's world of literature.  When you've finished with the book, go ahead and make a donation to Mortenson's Central Asia Institute.

 

Andy

The Churned Ajax Toolkit

I've recently been spending a lot of time hanging out in ##asp.net on irc.freenode.net.  As an indirect result of this, I have joined forces with rchern on her project, named the Churned Ajax Toolkit.  I'll be beginning development on my first contribution, but I'll save the announcement of what it is for when I'm closer to release.  If you have any ideas for the project, head over to our discussion boards and post some suggestions.  We'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

Andy

A New Job

After over 2 years working support for the Pennsylvania State Police, I have moved away from the phone and back to the developer's keyboard.  My years with the state police were both fun and extremely taxing, so I can say I am both excited and sad to move back into the career path I started years ago.

The company I will now be working with is called Waterfall Data Solutions, Inc. and is based just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  They are a young company and already have an amazingly talented group of individuals working with them.  I'm very happy to say I am joining their ranks and hope to be able to add a great deal of value to their team.

As it is appropriate and necessary I will give updates regarding my job, but don't expect too much about it.  As fun and cool of a job as it seems to be shaping up into, it is still a job and will deserve a certain amount of respect and separation from my personal life.  That being said, I will be getting back to my work for the day.  I'll be updating more frequently as my schedule solidifies, so look forward to it!

 

Andy