We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe

This here's the 366th Report ta the Folks Back Home from the (More er Less) Honorable Billybob, cyberCongressman from Western Carolina.

For reasons that will shortly become quite clear, I'm not gonna turn this over ta ma able assistant, J. Armor, Esq. Instead, fer the firs time ever in seven years of rattin, this column has a shared byline tween yer Congresscritter n his assistant.

Ballot issues always begin with a summary, to assist the voters. Here's my summary: My District needs more jobs and better schools. That means applying both book learning and common sense to what the federal government does, and doesn't do, in this District. I think my background qualifies me to be an effective Congressman. Today I announce an Exploratory Committee to find out what the good folks in Western Carolina think about that.

Mark Twain once wrote, "No one but royalty, an editor, or a man with a tapeworm has the right to use the word ‘we.' " His point was that people using the word "we" instead of "I" makes them seem pompous. Politicians seem particularly addicted to that affectation.

Well, we are running for Congress, maybe. First we explain the "we" and then the "maybe."

More than seven years ago, the (More er Less) Honorable Billybob, cyberCongressman from Western Carolina, sprang into existence in a weekly column then on AOL, under the title "Cong. Billybob Sez:"

Being a "cyberCongressman" (a word created by his "able assistant, J. Armor, Esq."), Ol' Billybob just declared himself elected and later reelected on the Internet. No fund-raising. No baby-kissing. No dreadful TV ads.

Though the approach was sometimes humorous, the intent was always serious. Every word written about political and other issues was intended to communicate legitimate analysis to knowledgeable readers. Now the time has come for someone actually to run for Congress. That cannot be Billybob, so it must be his assistant and alter ego, John Armor.

The first question that should be answered by any candidate for any office is, "Why are you running?" Some readers remember that famous Roger Mudd interview of Senator Ted Kennedy; Ted was running against President Carter, trying to take his renomination away. Mudd asked that critical question, and Kennedy hemmed and hawed in response. What little he said boiled down to this: "the nation owes me the Presidency." After that interview, Kennedy's campaign against President Carter crashed and burned.

So why are Congressman Billybob and John Armor running as a team for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina (maybe)? President Teddy Roosevelt answered that question better than anyone else. We agree with what he said. His address, "Citizenship in a Republic," included this well-known passage:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,... but who does actually strive to do the deeds;... and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

This was a brilliant speech, delivered to the faculty of the Sorbonne, drawing the distinction between academics and critics and those who actually accomplish tasks. Here's a link: http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trsorbonnespeech.html

For forty years I've worked with and for presidential candidates, Senators, Representatives, and hundreds of members of state legislatures. As a lawyer and as a political analyst, I've been deeply involved in other people's campaigns and other people's issues. It's been hard, challenging, and worthwhile work. I was honored to have those opportunities, and don't regret a moment of that (low-paid or volunteer) work.

Now it's time to see if the voters agree with my conclusion that I have the skills and background to be a competent Member of Congress, on my own two feet and my own merits. So why do I say I'm running but add the word "maybe"?

One of my books, Why Term Limits?, 1994, recounts the history of House elections from 1790 to 1992. A 2002 article for Contingencies, the journal of the American Academy of Actuaries, brought that research up to date. The article, "Til Death Do Us Part," also contained accurate predictions of the results in the coming House and Senate elections.

To make a very long story very short, there are certain prerequisites for any challenger to be successful in running for Congress. They are: strong personal qualifications, a capable staff, more than 1,000 able volunteers in the District, and $617,000.

Whoa, I hear you cry. That's an awfully specific number. Where'd that come from?

Starting in 1975, all federal candidates had to declare through the Federal Election Commission their total fund-raising and also give certain details on all donations of $200 and up. The average spending for winning candidates for the House in 1976 was $97,700. That number has risen steadily over the years, so the average for winners was more than $900,000 in 2002. But there is a second set of numbers to track – how much money must a challenger raise to have a real chance of defeating an incumbent?

This number also tracks upwards over the decades. It projects to $617,000 in 2004. And this is a workable number in a highly rural District like N.C. 11, with only two TV stations and one daily newspaper, and therefore very low advertising costs compared to most House Districts.

Notice that so far I've said nothing about the interests of the District, or the possible opposing candidates. That is deliberate. Every year there are hundreds of "show the flag" candidates who file to run, raise less than $50,000, and hope that lightning will strike and they will win. Often, such candidates get the nominations of their party against an entrenched incumbent of the other party. And then those hopeless candidates get stomped into the mud in the general election – unless lightning DOES strike and the incumbent gets caught in a nasty scandal or gets convicted of a serious crime.

I refuse to engage in a hopeless campaign. I've already met the first two prerequisites – my own background, and lining up a capable staff. But I shouldn't run, and won't, unless I meet the other two requirements – finding enough volunteers and raising enough money for a competent campaign. I won't make that final decision until January, 2004, just before the N.C. filing deadline of 27 February. (The primary election is now set for 4 May; however, the N.C. Supreme Court has just declared the election law here unconstitutional. If the law remains tied up in court, the primary may be delayed until September, as it was in the last election for state offices.)

The 11th District is Western Carolina, the triangle at the end of the state from Asheville west to Tennessee and Kentucky. The primary industries here are tourism and agriculture. Tourism centers on the Great Smokies National Park. The agriculture is largely tobacco, though of necessity many farmers are moving into other forms of truck farming. The bleeding area of the economy is the loss of manufacturing jobs – a problem common to many parts of the United States. And the two groups who are more prominent here than in most Districts are the Cherokee and retired people.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee are centered on Cherokee, N.C., on the edge of the Great Smokies. The tribe has done an excellent job of economic development on its own. But it still needs additional help to reach a good standard of living across the board. Retired people are settling in Western Carolina because the climate is excellent, the costs of living are low, and the people here are as friendly as the day is long.

Another factor is the nature of the businesses in Western Carolina. Six of the ten largest employers here are universities or hospitals. In short, there are very few "major" employers. Given the geography and challenges of transportation through the mountains, the heart of employment in Western Carolina is, and will probably remain, tens of thousands of small businesses, family farms, and the like. Small businesses are more susceptible to being shut down by dumb decisions and policies of government, because they lack the clout to defend themselves.

The last major factor is that public education is in a steady and ultimately disastrous decline in Western Carolina. This, too, is common across the country, but the folks of this District will probably be more willing to accept and undertake the kinds of changes like student testing, teacher testing, school choice and charter schools, that more enlightened communities across the nation are already adopting. Also, bureaucrats should help rather than hinder those parents who choose to home-school their children.

What aspects of my background match the needs of the 11th District? I grew up in the 1st District of Maryland, the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore is almost as flat as a pool table. It's located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. At first glance, it would seem to have nothing in common with Western Carolina, far from blue water and squarely in the Blue Ridge Mountains (the southern end of the Appalachian chain). Yet appearances can be deceiving.

The Eastern Shore's two main industries are tourism and truck farming. It faces a major challenge to attract and keep manufacturing jobs. And its long term success depends on improving public education. So, whether I knew it or not, I was preparing for this race in this District from my first experiences with the people and economy in Salisbury, Maryland.

What are the background and experiences that I bring to bear for Western Carolina? First of all, I'm "over-educated." I graduated from Yale, from the University of Maryland Law School, and have completed the course work but not the dissertation for a Ph.D. in Public Policy from American University. Along the way, I've met more than a few people who hold a Ph.D., but are dumb as a hoe handle in the real world. Do I share that disability?

One side of my employment history answers that question. My first real job was working on an assembly line at the Washington Aluminum Company's Westport Plant. I've done door-to-door sales, been a short-order cook, and run a retail business. (That retail business failed, by the way, which taught me two lessons. The first is, "These are the problems that a small businessman faces." The other lesson is, "Don't do that again.")

I've accomplished some fairly difficult tasks. I've published six books (so far). I've published more than 500 articles (so far). And I've filed 17 briefs in the US Supreme Court, with a good track record in victories. I must give up filing Supreme Court briefs after becoming an official candidate for Congress. The reason has to do with the Constitution, and the separation of powers between the branches of government. While there is no legal barrier to a Member of Congress filing a brief in the Court, I don't consider that appropriate and would not do it .

Bottom line, I believe I offer the necessary combination of skills in public policy and law, combined with having my feet on the ground in a common-sense way. The voters in Western Carolina will, of course, decide that issue. Much more information about my District and about me than can be presented in a mere column, appears on my campaign (maybe) website. All readers of this are welcome to click over to that website and see what it offers: http://www.ArmorforCongress.com

Lastly, many readers who've known me for some time will want to help my effort. Here are three steps I'd appreciate your taking:

A. If you live in Western Carolina, sign up as a volunteer. I have a short list of very important actions I'd like you to take, depending on your available time and skills.

B. If you don't live in Western Carolina, but have relatives, friends or colleagues who live here, contact them, give them a link to this column, and suggest that they consider getting involved in this effort. And let me know who they are and where they are, so I can follow up with them.

C. Whether or not you live in Western Carolina, if you believe I will make a capable Member of Congress, send me a contribution. All contributions are welcome, and I expect the average donation for about three-fourths of my supporters to be about $35. It all adds up.

My campaign website shows the e-mail and snail mail addresses to use, along with much other information. When the volunteers and the dollars in hand add up to the practical targets I have set, then I can write another column taking away the word "maybe" from the title. Both of us – Congressman Billybob and John Armor – thank you for your support.

28018, 28019, 28024, 28040, 28043*, 28074, 28139*, 28160, 28167, 28701, 28702, 28704, 28707, 28708, 28709, 28710, 28711, 28712, 28713, 28714*, 28715, 28716, 28717, 28718, 28719, 28720, 28721, 28722, 28723, 28725, 28726, 28727, 28728, 28729, 28730, 28731, 28732, 28733, 28735, 28736, 28737, 28738, 28740*, 28741, 28742, 28743, 28745, 28746, 28747, 28748, 28749, 28750, 28751, 28752*, 28753, 28754, 28755, 28756, 28757, 28758, 28760, 28761*, 28762, 28763, 28766, 28768, 28770, 28771, 28772, 28773, 28774, 28775, 28776, 28778, 28779, 28781, 28783, 28784, 28786, 28787, 28788, 28790, ALL 288 zip codes, 28901, 28902, 28904, 28905, 28906, 28909. * These are only partly in the 11th District. [This list probably contains some inaccuracies, since I have two sources for it and they do not agree.]

After reading this thread, I exchanged some FReepmail with Congressman-to-be John Armor. He not only replied, and promptly, to my questions, he took an extraordinary amount of time to consider and answer me fully. His answers are most impressive. More impressive is his earnestness and honesty.

I hope you will all run the zipcodes through your phone lists, and put in the good word, or send what you can his way.

With John's permission, I am posting our exchange in full. I think you will be as impressed as I:

Re: We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe
To Congressman Billybob | 09/03/2003 12:35 AM EDT sent

Dear John,

If I can criticize one thing about this pre-announcement, it's that I'm not sure where it's going.

You have invited us to the campaign, and to your website, but you have not drawn us there. You've told us good, but you haven't lured us so good. That make sense?
(Just trying to be constructive)

Good luck!

- Michael (aka Nicollo)

Re: We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe
From Congressman Billybob | 09/03/2003 1:04 AM EDT replied

The click link goes to my campaign website. The address in my tag line IS the website. I'd like to take everyone by the hand and lead them into my electronic parlor, but I don't know how to do more than that.

Any suggestions?

John / Billybob

Re: We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe
To Congressman Billybob | 09/03/2003 5:08 PM EDT sent

Dear John,

I wrote last night, "You've told us good, but you haven't lured us so good." You kindly and rightly replied, "Any suggestions?"

I dunno, but I do know that links lead only the willing, among whom you can count me, and once I was there I just didn't feel like I got anywhere. I, too, want education, jobs, and for Congressitters to meet me, but where do we go from there? Sure, personal contact leads to better governance, but it is a means, not an end. That is, if meeting people is your theme, what is your goal? If your goal is education, jobs, and agriculture, how does meeting me get us there? Are we talking process, or product? Process ain’t bad, but it has to lead somewhere. Forgive me if I missed it, or if it’s obvious and implicit in your message.

One of the ironies of Big Government is that while it brings government into our lives, it has at the same time distanced us from government. Our little votes mean so little. Sure, our interests are protected by our representatives, or by the lobbyists who scream and dole it out on our behalf one way or anther. But even those are so far away. If I were to meet you, I would probably ask, “Whatya gonna do for me?” I’m sure you’d have a great reply, maybe this or that, and some advice on what I can do for you, as well. We’d shake hands, and you’d go away either with or without my vote. You and I would be no closer than we were before we met.

The best Congressitters work for their constituents. Ole Strom Thurmond was one of the best - he’d make things happen for people. I’m sure you’d do Strom’s legacy great justice. Nevertheless, the system itself keeps us apart, and at the most fundamental level. What if I were to ask, "What the hell can you do for me at Raleigh?" Or, if you were running for State office, what if I asked, "What the hell can you do for me at Washington?"

Perhaps therein is the meaning and the action to your theme of meeting the people.

One of my political obsessions is the vile 17th amendment. It has cut the bond between voters and their local representatives, resulting in a public that has a closer association to its federal, rather than State, representatives, House and Senate. You know the off-year voting stats. People don’t give a damn for their State reps. I don’t even know mine. But guess, what, they define what government means to me just as much as those in Congress, especially when we’re talking jobs and education. (Initiatives and referendums, btw, have further distanced the public from their local reps -- State governments use these as tools to pass off the ugly stuff onto the public, while protecting their own jobs and reputations).

You are already working with the State folks, I am sure. But are you together working with the people? Perhaps you can bring the State folks in with you. Perhaps you can show the people how government really works, and what it really means, and how they can really influence it. I’m sure there are plenty of toes to step on in a primary, but I’m sure there’s a way to do this. If you succeed, you’d bring real meaning to the people’s connectedness with their government, State and Federal. (People don’t realize that most Federal intervention in our lives is conducted through the States by way of funding mandates. Speed limits, school testing, etc., it’s all from Congress.)

I’m just shootin’ blanks here. The exercise is to find some other way to make education and jobs meaningful, some other way to make meeting the people more meaningful. I used to live on Charles St. in the War Zone of Baltimore. On the block was a methadone clinic. Up the street was Kwese Mfume’s district office. It seemed to me that both the clinic and Mfume’s office provided the same service. I’m trying to think how it can be different.

Many thanks for listenin’. If there’s anything here worthy of general viewing, feel free to post it. I really hope I haven’t wasted your time.

Best of luck!

Michael (aka Nicollo)

PS You might study the campaigns of "the walking Governor," Lawton Chiles. I don't know much about him, but his reputation in FLA is golden, and I think it comes of his “meeting the people.”.

Re: We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe
From Congressman Billybob | 09/03/2003 6:59 PM EDT new

Michael,

Very interesting e-mail you sent, by friend. (And I like your analogy about Charles Street. I worked for the Baltimore Planning Commission when "MetroCenter" was on the drawing boards and was centered on Charles Street.)

You are absolutely right, meeting people is a process, not a goal. But it is an essential process in this race in this District at this time. I am up against an entrenched incumbent. I can only defeat him if I can reach PERSONALLY about 10,000 people, convince them that I'm a better man for the job, and then encourage them to speak PERSONALLY to five other people, and persuade them of the same thing.

You wrote, "I would probably ask, “Whatya gonna do for me?” I’m sure you’d have a great reply, maybe this or that, and some advice on what I can do for you, as well. We’d shake hands, and you’d go away either with or without my vote. You and I would be no closer than we were before we met."

A lot of people will ask that very question. Before I answer that question, I would ask, "Where do you and your spouse work? What are your primary political or social issues?" Then I would use my knowledge and experience to talk about their issues in personal terms, and do that in 180 seconds.

That, my friend, is one hellova challenge. But I've been meeting and talking with folks in all walks of life for forty years. Now it's time to put that experience to work.

I agree with you 100% that the 17th Amendment, regardless of the "good intentions" behind it, gut shot the ability of the state legislatures to rein in the excesses of the federal government. However, there is a 0% chance it will be removed from the Constitution. I am working with hundreds of state legislators on other possible means for states to be political flywheels with respect to the federal government. I expect to introduce two particular constitutional amendments on that precise point.

You wrote, "Perhaps you can bring the State folks in with you. Perhaps you can show the people how government really works, and what it really means, and how they can really influence it."

Absolutely right, my friend. Long term, effective solutions in such intractible areas as education cannot possibly be accomplished without a cooperative effort. I would get parents, teachers (all schools, not just public ones), counties, state officials, and federal officials in a room together, lock the door, and say that no one will leave until there is agreement on the basic problems, and on steps to solve them. I call that a "come to Jesus" meeting. It is MUCH harder to do that than to pass a piece of legislation that deals (poorly) with only one (small) aspect of the problem.

But when a problem has been growing for fifty years, as this one has, any politician seeking to solve it, rather than simply make hay from it, HAS to do the hard work of getting to the bottom of the problem, FIRST.

Far from "wasting my time," you have raised important questions about how any public official really does his job, rather than dealing in the cosmetics of merely appearing to do his job. Since your questions in an e-mail started this discussion, I suggest that you post it up, edited as you choose, if you think it is of interest to many FReepers. And it may be that, since education is a hot button for most FReeprs.

Cordially,

John / Billybob

nicollo you remind me of my first campaign seminar way back in 1950. I was 12 years old and I went with my dad to hear Alben Barkley, then Harry Truman's VP, speak on how to win elections.

Alben was a former Kentucky Senator, and hid a genius I.Q. behind a congressman BillyBob type accent and demeanor. Does that sound similar to anyone we know?

Alben described his run for the Senate. He ventured to the home of an old Kentucky farmer to ask for his and his kinsfolks votes. The old farmer allowed as how he and his kin were not going to vote for Alben this time.

Barkley was taken aback. He said to the old farmer, "Do you remember when I was county commissioner and your house got flooded?" Alben went on to say, "You came to me and I got the county to dredge out the creek and put the removed creek bottom on your side to create a levy, Remember?" The old farmer admitted that was true. Alben then mentioned that when his boy got in trouble, that Alben had gone to the prosecutor and got the boy a plea bargain that was only probation. The old farmer agreed that was so. Alben then said,"Do you remember when I was in the state legislature I got the highway going by your house designated a state highway ... paved double lanes ... and scheduled for primary snow removal?" The farmer remembered. Alben then reminded the old farmer that when he was in Congress the Social Security Administration screwed up his checks, and Alben had gotten it straightened out including all back pay.. The farmer allowed as how that was so.

Then Alben asked,"And you still are not going to vote for me?" The old farmer scratched his head and replied, "That's right." Alben asked, "Why?" And the old farmer said,"You ain't done nothing fer me lately!"

Alben was making the point that constituent services are important. And they are. Nicolle is making the point that an agenda is important too. I am certain an individual agenda is of little value other than as a campaign tool. A candidate's philosophy of government... YES SIR. A candidates personal agenda? EXPLETIVE DELETED NO!!!!

I would say to Nicolle that the chances of a congressman setting a national agenda that has a chance of being passed is roughly equal to a snowballs survival rate on a hot day in Hades. The least effective congressman is one with an agenda of his own. That texas congress critter Ron Paul or Paul Ron or what ever the heck his name is, is a prime example of tilting at windmills. Ron Paul couldn't get congress to pass toilet paper if he had terminal diahrea... and I think he does.

To implement a personal agenda a congressman must get the leadership of the house to support it, and 60 votes in the senate for it and the president to want to sign it and the supreme court not to overturn it. AIN'T NO Congress Critter ever lived that can get that done. We have enough fools tilting at windmills! The national government is a team sport... WE need team leaders and players ... not prima donnas with an agenda. The Republican party has an abundance of McCains. What it needs are some McAbles,

Doable agendas come in two flavors... those put forward by a president and those put forward by the party that does not hold the presidency.. but wants to use its agenda to get to be the party that holds the presidency.

What a congressman has an outside chance of doing is to influence some part of his parties agenda. He will find at least half of his parties congress critters are trying to do the same thing.

Being in the house is like being on a baseball team with 435 players... every one of which is a starting pitcher...

What Republican congressmen can do, and make a difference in the present situation, is do what he can to get the presidents agenda enacted. That is not a problem in the house. It is a huge problem in the senate.

To boil it down being a Republican congressman is being one member on a roughly 220 member team. Asking a candidate for the outfield on that team who is going to be his starting pitcher is a silly question. He will not get to decide who pitches. If he is good enough he will get to start in right field... not manage the team. His job is to get hits for his side and catch ball hit to his area of the outfield.

If I were to be able to elect the most effective congressperson I could image here is what he or she would do. My congress person would have great communications skills both at writing, speaking and making TV appearances to further public support for those parts of the presidents agenda he deemed most worthy of support. He would attract national attention for his ability to help his parties team win passage of his parties agenda. He would attract national attention for his ability to use innovative methods to solve his districts problems. He would attract this attention because his methods could be applied to other districts. National attention EQUALS influence for both the national agenda and his local district. I am not talking about being the party pit bull. I am talking about providing solutions for district problems through inovative actions.

What can a congressman do for his district other than get the Farmer his social security check on time? First he can use the prestige and influence to coordinate efforts to achieve district wide goals such as job creation.

Here are a few obvious points on Education and jobs. Employers create tax base. Tax base creates money for education. .. It will be good education if the right people are on school boards. Congressmen do not elect school boards. Congressmen can help attract employers.

In the coming good times many firms will be looking to expand...everything from a retail chain looking for location a distribution center to a software firm looking for a site near the mountains and within driving distance of the ocean.. to a local person or group wanting to do a startup. And I can't emphasize how important local support for the local job creators is. The auto industry was created in the Michigan area because that is where Henry Ford lived. The biggest hunk of the PC software industry is in the state of Washington because that is where Bill Gates is from.

A congressman should make himself available to help local Chambers of Commerce and local Directors of Economic Development sell any prospective employer on the area. I would suggest a candidate for congressman start with the help of local Directors of Economic development, and mayors where DOEDs do not exist. Get each of them to contribute to a data base of all property for sale zoned for commercial or industrial use. I would have them ask local real estate associations to try to list such properties at a known price good for a year at a time. I would ask them to get local builders to commit to construction costs for warehouse and light industrial buildings... So the database could quote land and building cost estimates in minutes not days. I would get value added to goods per dollar of labor figures for each of the zip codes in the district, average labor rates for skilled and unskilled workers, labor availability figures, and list transportation availability such are truck, train, air etc. I would try to PRE coordinate zoning and building permits etc.. Get local people to committ to make things happen quickly. Every firm I have ever worked with on expansion wants it YESTERDAY... Figure out how to give it to them and they will locate in your district.

I would have my congressperson organize a meeting with every lending institution in the district to find which ones were interested in financing expansion of the local business base... Including the ones willing to put their money where their mouth is. Find out their criteria for loans... So you can tell a prospect what they have to do to qualify.

Next I would research the federal programs that can help the establishment or expansion of jobs. Tie that information together and have my ideal candidate to pledge if elected to have a staff person be in charge of helping local firms, either new or existing, get all the help in expansion that can be legally given.

Then in every speech made in every communication with community leaders, I would ask what can be done to make government less of an obstruction to job growth and what it could do to foster job growth. Oh yes... It is important to never use the word INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.. it is always JOB GROWTH or INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HIGH PAYING JOBS.... but you knew that already.

Then my prospective congressman would try to organize a District job growth committee in each zip code in the district to handle two way communications between the congressman and the community as well as work with your office and prospective employers. They would use their local clout to make things happen. In an expanding economy prospective employers want it NOW. They have customers who want services or products yesterday. Fix it so things can happen quickly and you will beat out better but much slower competitors. Put people on these committtees that have somthing to gain by the creation of new jobs.

Each committee would be informed about existing programs and proposed programs that could help that community to have a more prosperous future. The committee would also be charged with telling the congressman what they felt the federal government could do or stop doing to help. It would also be sounding board for the congressman's proposals as well.

I would give access to this database, perhaps on the net, to every government, real estate agent, Chamber of C etc in the congressional district. I would use this database and organization to get on every TV and radio talk show known ot man. It could be used to promote this job friendly district. We can have your firm in a postion to start hiring with in weeks not months would be the pitch.

A congressman to have real clout needs to do new and innovative things to help his district. Things that expand the level of services to constituents that go beyond runing interference with the bureaucrats for individual government benefits or new welfare programs. A congressman whose office sets a new standard can be the man whom many other congress members start to emulate. That would give a congressman lots of influence and the experience to help contribute to an agenda that might be passed.

If you want to set an agenda, you had best be president or Speaker of the house when a Democrat is president.

The ideas expressed here are just to demonstrate a technique that I have not completely thought through. But as Alben said some 53 years ago, "You aint done nothin' for me lately." has to be countered with "Here is what I will do for you if elected and you can depend on my doing it." It has to be what the kinsfolks want done and it has to be believable. I do know that Harry Truman and Alben carried Ohio by 7,107 votes out of darn near 3 million in 1948. And if Dewey had offered to do dang near anything for Ohio voters besides looking extremely presidential, Thomas E. would have been president come 1949.

Here are couple of 'tatorisms.

National Government is a team sport. The only teams that win games are those that place team goals way above individual goals.

In government as in sports, the head coach always listens to the player that knows how to win games.

For the party in power the President is always the head coach that calls the plays and determines the agenda.

As my eldest daughter says, "Do not ask Dad what time it is. He will describe his version of the inner workings of all time keeping machines from the sundial through digital watches. By the time he tells you the time, you have missed your appointment by several hours."

'tator

I'll say this for all to read:

I am gratified that someone with the experience and common sense of Common Tator has agreed to help me in my efforts. This discussion of what a Congressman can do, as opposed to what he cannot do, is an example of this gentleman's thinking.

That story about the farmer who said, "You haven't done anything for me lately," is legendary. And Tator's discussion from that basis keys to the two bullets at the heart of my effort -- jobs and education.

Tator wrote what he did without discussing it with me, and that's as it should be. In general, he is right that a single Member of a 435-Member body cannot accomplish a great deal on his own. His effectiveness is in being an exceptional player on the President's team (when his Party holds the White House).

Tator's commentary, however, contains an important caveat. That Congressman chooses the parts of the Administation's program that he wants to advance and speak for. It is not a slavish yes to everything the President wants. For example, Senator Specter is either at the margin of effectiveness because he "misses too many team meetings," or he is beyond that margin, take your pick. I agree with Tator that Representative Paul has put himself out of the loop by straying too far, too often, on too many issues.

I agree with Tator on efforts at economic development. Long ago, I worked in that area with a Regional Planning Council. The specific needs in a largely rural District are very different from those in a metropolitan area. But the approach, the philosophy of bringing the major players together -- both private and public -- to hammer out agreements that will produce the result of more employers and therefore more jobs, is the same in both areas.

The only major disagreement I have with Tator, and this is a matter of emphasis, is his focus on economic development uber alles. I will put an equal amount of my time and energy into education, because I have followed the subject for decades. I am appalled at the billions of dollars being wasted year by year. I am appalled at the number of students who are being cheated out of the education they are capable of receiving if in competent schools with competent teachers. And I am appalled at the long term effects of this widespread failure will visit on every community where it occurs, in the years to come.

I say that on the very day that the results from the public school tests in North Carolina have been released. The public school in my town, Highlands, (which my step-daughter attends) ranked far above the national average, far above the state average, and at the top of the list for all public schools in Western Carolina.

That news is terrific, for the parents and students in my town. But it emphasizes that other schools in other areas are failing, and that local school boards everywhere need to have the freedom to improve their own schools, and help from federal and state officials to do so.

Speaking as a former engineer, no problem can ever be solved until the people who must deal with it UNDERSTAND ITS NATURE AND CAUSES. The "edukashun" unions have long muddied the waters by claiming that the problems in education stem from a lack of money. Citizens of all types are beginning to recognize the big lie. Playing the role I can to bring that lie crashing down and breaking the strangle hold that the unions have on public schools and tax money is therefore essential to what I want to do, and a major part of what I will say to parents and taxpayers in my District.

I don't know how many people are paying attention to this multi-faceted discussion, but I know those that are are finding it a primer in what government means in a practical sense in the real world.

John / Billybob

I am appalled at the billions of dollars being wasted year by year. I am appalled at the number of students who are being cheated out of the education they are capable of receiving if in competent schools with competent teachers. And I am appalled at the long term effects of this widespread failure will visit on every community where it occurs, in the years to come.

Could not agree with you more Billybob. Let me give you my thoughts.... on education.

What I am about to write is for discussion. I don't even agree with all I will write in this post. And for the lurkers, John Armor (cyberCongressman BillyBob) hasn't a clue that I am going to post this. But it is a perspective on education that has occurred to me, and I am conflicted by it. A few years ago I worked on a major computer software project with several people educated in the old Soviet Union. They turned out to be very well educated people indeed. That did shake my certainty that socialist educational system could not work on a large scale. But it does seem clear our system is not working. Perhaps Socialism plus uncontrolled Unionism destroyed the effectiveness of our system. I just don't have a real pinpoint for the cause. This post is made hoping there may be a hint of value in my proposed solution. Think of what I write here as a lawyer arguing a case. It is being argued to the best of my ability. In any event here comes the argument.

Primary education in the USA has followed a socialist model. Everyone pays according to his means, and every child gets as much education as he needs. That is the way the system is designed. If you own the mansion and the factory you pay the big bucks for education but your children get the same education as any poor kid. It is indeed a socialist system.

Some may no doubt think that I am always opposed to socialism. But I am not. Families are socialist. Everyone contributes according to ability and every member gets what that member needs. Come to think of it my dang kids contributed next to nothing. I never did learn how to tell my daughters NO. But I would not have had it any other way. A family is a socialist institution.

With that said,let me take you back at least 150 years ago. It was the model then in effect all over the nation that led me to my consider this view. I will relate the instance I know best.

Joseph Malone purchased a few thousand acres of pretty worthless high hill land between Lunbeck road and England Hollow roads about 5 miles South of Chillicothe Ohio.. It was bought about 1808. It was not worth much... But it was for sale and Joe bought it. He cleared some land and raised crops and built a road across it. With typical Malone modesty Joe named his thoroughfare Malone Road. He sold some lots for folks to build homes. By 1840 he had made a few bucks by hook or crook. Some would say mostly by crook and the population had grown. He enlisted local families with the means to do so.. the Englands the Malones, and the Lunbecks... in constructing and operating a regular school. Joe put up the money for the building. It was one room brick structure that still stands. Joe once again modestly saw to it that it was named Malone School. The teachers were the single ladies of the England family. The Engands were a Virginia land grand family that tended to produce more girls than boys. The England girls were a rarity for the period. They were reputed to be beauties, very independentm, very bright and well educated. They made good teachers. One of the England daughters of a generation or so later married my Grandpa. The Lunbecks gave the land. It was still in operation in 1914 when my Dad graduated from the 6th grade. His Aunt Osie England was his teacher. That school had 8 grades and turned out educated children. My Mother attended Malone School and graduated from the 8th grade. The school was locally run by the people whose children attended. And no one would have even considered asking the poorer families to pay for the upkeep, the books, or the teacher's salary. The poor kids got the same education that every student got.

My point is at the local level with a local community in total control, socialist schools do work. But when we make them larger they fall apart. The families lose control. The "professionals" take control. When the get big enough they tend to operate for the benefit of the professionals not the students or the students parents.

When I was growing up the school system South of Chillicothe was pretty bad. They had new buildings and teachers but the quality was poor. Dad pulled every political string that could be pulled to get our township into the Chillicothe City School district. It broke our family apart. Dad's older brother was much opposed. he wanted to do what it took to make our rural district better. Dad did not want to wait. He wanted my sister and I to have a good education.

So our one little chunk of the rural district ended up in the Chillicothe District. My sister and I went to Jr High and High School in the big and better city school system.

When I returned to Chillicothe in 1995, after 30 years absence I was amazed to learn that over the last 30 years my Uncle, my cousins and now two of his sons have been very involved in that rural school district. I was amazed to learn that the rural school kids now get a very good education. Arguably better than the city. They citicens of that district had gone to great lengths to keep the district from merging. It is backwoods hill country and the kids come from mostly working class and some quite poor families. I can tell you the young people coming out of that school system are not going to be poor. There is a community of people determined that their children will have a better chance at success. There is peer pressure for kids to do well. The first time I went to the local church and saw the pretty teenage girls sitting with nerdy boys had me checking my glasses. I was born way too many years too soon.

Every member of that school board is committed to good education. Almost every parent knows every member of the School Board. Yes they have to live with the stupid rules and regulations of the state school board and the federal junk as well,but they cope and make good education happen. The kids are doing better than the 200 thousand dollar a year Superintendent of the City Schools has produced with more funds per student and a better teacher student ratio.

Can you tell me why the teacher administrator ratio is 6 to 1 and the student teacher ratio is 20 to 1? Doesn't compute does it.

My belief is that schools will improve if turned back to neighborhood control. A grade school of 7 class rooms, six grades, kindergarten, and 7 teachers is a lot easier for parents to influence than a 49 classroom school which is part of a 500 teacher 500 room school district.

I believe we should gradually make the schools smaller and more neighborhood oriented. Reverse the consolidation of small schools. I think the courts that consolidated districts in the name of racial equality doomed white and black youngsters to inferior education for all the decades since. Make them small neighborhood schools that answer to parents... especially for the first 8 grades.

Let me tell you something else that blew my mind when I studied it. Vouchers will not sell. They might work but proposing them will elect more Democrats than you can shake a stick at. You will not get them passed if the current Republican voters have any say. The party that tries to implement them will be destroyed.

I invite you to look at the returns when vouchers were on the ballot in Michigan. A state trending Republican trended right back to the Democrats when the Republicans tried to pass school vouchers with a state ballot initiative. Look at how the suburbs voted on vouchers and then the 2000 election returns.

A huge amount of the Republican base lives in the suburbs and pays the taxes to have the nice home and schools. The students in those schools are peers....social equals. The parents in those districts are for vouchers the way liberals are for alternate forms of electricity generation. They are all for it until you try to install it in their neighborhood. Then they don't want it. The last thing they want and the last thing they will tolerate is what they feel are problem kids coming in to "TAKE OVER" their school. Convene a dozen focus groups among registered Republicans and you will find out how to make them Registered Democrats in a heart beat.

Any attempt at fix the system while maintaining centralized control is very likely to fail. What ever the current think tank 5 year plan is.. I doubt it will work on a large scale socialist system.

Only in great danger can large scale socialism work. Stalin could build a world class army when Russia was at risk from German destruction.. But he could not build an effective industrial nation in the peace time that followed.

I often hear as an objection to the smaller is better argument that small poor inner-cities and small poor rural districts would produce terrible education if left to their own devices. While the rich districts would produce great education with small schools. The conventional wisdom is education can't be left to local control. But I do not believe that is true. The human desire to advance children is not destroyed even in the worst inner city or poorist of rural districts.

People will tell you that large districts are needed to buy computers and other high tech items. I counter by saying that for years Seymore Cray out designed all of IBM with his Cray Super Computers. Seymore designed them with pencil and paper. A court house is not needed to teach justice and you don't need fancy computers to teach technology. You need good teachers motivated to teach and students motivated to learn.

Some call for strong local control and state and federal financing. I can only say the old saying of "He who pays the piper calls the tune" has rarely proved to be wrong.

An educational fix was not included in my other post because there is not one I am sure will work. But John makes a good case, that the system we have now is very bad and getting worse and if congress does not try to fix it .. who will?

It does seem clear the bigger is better polices of the last 40 years have proved to be wrong. My bottom line at present is try something. If it does not work try something else. It is not clear that any serious proposed solution could make it worse.

I will close with this. Abraham Lincoln has a one room school elementary education and wrote "Four score and seven years ago our forefathers..... " And Bill Clinton with a Rhodes Scholarship on top of a college degree wrote "I did not have _____ with that woman, Miss Lewinski"

I rest my case.

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