Posted on 09/14/2007 9:16:48 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
THE VILLAGES - Villager Dave Herrick and a thousand like him gathered at Lake Sumter Landing Thursday to see what presidential candidate Fred Thompson was all about. On the Republican ticket alone, there are so many choices in Florida's fast-approaching January primary that seeing a candidate in person could help make that important decision.
"As a loyal Republican, this is a hard election," Herrick said.
Once Thompson started speaking, the crowd of supporters seemed a bit more sold on the former Tennessee senator and star actor with a southern drawl.
Enthusiastic backers from The Villages and surrounding communities endured summertime temperatures at noon to hear what the Republican Party's latest rising star had to say about taxes, politics and the Iraq war.
Those who gathered weren't disappointed. Thompson's message of a return to Federalist government, with more decisions and power resting with the states rather than the federal government, played well with the crowd.
"Every solution is not found in Washington, D.C.," he said to cheers. "Free people have free ways of doing things."
States could tackle some issues better, Thompson said. "The sanctity of life," lowering taxes, preserving the second amendment, respecting private property promoting innovation and open and fair trade were just some of the ideas Thompson touted as his way to keeping America a great country, he said.
Action needs to be well thought out if it's going to be effective, he said. Past governmental failures have a way of creeping back into the spotlight just to have the same solution thrown at them. The 1986 illegal immigrant amnesty, for example, allowed millions of immigrants to become part of the country, Thompson said. Some in Congress are trying the same tack now, rather than addressing illegal immigration at its source, he said.
To that "the American people say 'No, thank you,'" Thompson said. " 'Secure the border, then we'll talk.' "
Many in attendance were impressed with the former Tennessee senator's candor with the crowd. He's personable, making it easy to listen to what he has to say, said Village of Polo Ridge resident Alice Kunkel, 75.
The demeanor seems legitimate as well, she added, not something manufactured in Thompson's years in Hollywood.
"I think the other politicians are more actors than he is," she said.
The Villages seems to be a target for Republican political candidates. Thompson's visit comes a week before fellow GOP candidate Mitt Romney's second visit this year to the retirement community. President George Bush visited during his re-election campaign in 2004 and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist visited during his bid for governor last year.
Candidates who visit let Villagers know they're still citizens, and more importantly voters, said Village of Glenbrook resident Joyce Decker.
"They haven't forgotten us," she said.
Not forgetting retired people means fixing problems with federal systems like social security and a confusing tax structure, Thompson said. Making sure Social Security is sustainable, instead of spending money on more and more federal programs, and taxing in a more fair manner can do wonders for sustaining the programs on which the federal government should be focusing, like defense, he said.
On defense, vacillating and possibly withdrawing from Iraq before the country is more stable would be a signal to terrorists that the United States is weak in the face of resistance, Thompson said. The U.S. has an "opportunity" to keep Iraq stable as evidenced by reports from U.S. General David Petraeus this week. Suggesting a pullout shows just how much Congressional Democrats don't know about foreign affairs, he said.
"It's more and more apparent to me every day that the average 20-year-old serving in Iraq knows more about national security than many of the 20-year veterans in Congress," he said.
Thompson is scheduled to travel by bus through the state for the rest of this weekend, making stops in New Port Richey, Miami, Cape Coral, Lakeland and Gainesville.
Thank god for Fred Thompson. This party has a chance, yet.
He’s saying the things I want to hear.
The demeanor seems legitimate as well, she added, not something manufactured in Thompson's years in Hollywood. "I think the other politicians are more actors than he is," she said.Great line!!! LOL : )
If it is possible to keep some of the controversial issues within the boundaries of states (I have great doubts when these issues directly affect federal taxes and benefits and policies), then I am going to be interested in watching states like California go right down the tubes and see what all those Califotna Christians who think Christians should be silent in the political arena do about it.....and how they feel about the contrast between their state politics and those of other more conservative states.
You would soon see the RATS lose elections if they had to tax all their welfare leech voters to pay for everything they want.
My 17 yr old daughter drove to the Villages to see Fred; her grandparents live there. She liked what Fred had to say, but she was disappointed that she could not get close enough to meet him.
She will get her first opportunity to vote in the 2008 general election; she's pumped about it.
That's my little conservative!
Each year, the federal government gives about $350 billion to state, county, and city governments. About a year ago, I wrote to about 15 congressmen, and I asked them to eliminate that spending. I said that it makes no sense to send some federal tax money back to the same place from which the money came. I said that, if that federal spending is eliminated, that would save about 18% of the federal budget, so Congress would pass an across-the-board 18% tax rate cut. I didn’t receive responses from any of those letters.
“I didn’t receive responses from any of those letters.”
And you never will because that is the only way that RATS can ever win elections.
If you want less of something, tax it.
I vote we tax welfare and the poor!
I already knew that Democrats win elections by increasing spending. I only sent the letters to Republicans.
I believe that One, who chooses a career in government, will not fix government by choice. Only someone who feels it is their duty to serve in government will do their duty and fix government. Thus it is up to the people to elect only those who feel it is their duty to serve the nation. A careerist will only do what is best for their career. And that is what is wrong with both parties; they no longer are there to serve the nation but, to increase the size of their party and thus enhancing their careers.
And for that reason I’m leaning towards Fred.
Enough already Fred. You’ve already got my vote. The only questions are, can you walk the walk and can you use the bully pulpit to whip a Democrat Legislature... Otherwise we are in for 8 years of gridlock, which is vastly preferable to the shafting we got after 4 years of “moderate” Republican control. No conservative government, that...
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