Inside Mesa

Jared Langkilde, Chairman of Republican Legislative District 19, announces a great opportunity tomorrow evening at our monthly meeting.All four Republican candidates for Governor will be present to share their ideas and answer questions.Candidates are:Don Goldwater…………Mike HarrisLen Munsil………………Garry TupperAlso, come hear about an exciting program, all new and current Precinct Committeemen need to attend this meeting.Don’t miss out! Thursday, August 17, 6:30 PM refreshments, 7:00 PM meeting begins at Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus, Community Room M200, 7110 E. McKellips - in the northeast corner of Power and McKellips Road.Questions? Call Jared at 480-641-8874.

Voting is a small duty in exchange for the freedoms we enjoy. Be a part of the solution or at least try to be. Every US citizen should register and vote! What many Americans consider a nuisance, many foreign citizens consider a joy and a privilege. You may not always get your way, but you should always be a part of the process. Primary elections are September 12th and the general election in November. Are you ready? Maybe your vote isn’t enough. There are plenty of opportunities to make a difference in our government:- Join the local caucus of your political party of choice and help create its platform.- Become a Precinct Committeeman to influence the direction and policies of your political party: www.azgop.org, www.azdem.org- Host a political candidate forum at your church or other locale to meet the candidates and educate fellow voters and peers on the issues.- Support your candidate of choice financially.- Write a letter/email/phone your legislator on an issue. This goes a long way and takes very little time.- Join a lobbyist group to influence public policy.- Start/join a prayer group for good government! (www.azpolicy.org/prayer)I become especially agitated with how many church-goers do not register or vote or get involved at all. We in particular are supposed to take seriously the social condition of our nation and care about other citizens. If we don’t do it, then someone with differing values will - guaranteed. Be the prudent person who votes the issues and their conscience, not based upon one 30 second TV spot. Let me preface the following story with, "I AM NOT FROM CALIFORNIA!" I did however live there during my military days, and became a registered voter there. In the late ’90s, I survived a particularly painful election day during which every single one of my preferred candidates lost. Particularly painful was the election of Grey Davis as governor and re-election of Senator Diane Feinstein whose views I find particularly contemptible. Despite that experience, I have continued to vote and increasingly petitioned my elected officials during my residencies in Pennsylvania and here in Arizona. It has never dawned on me to abandon the political process despite the fact that I don’t always get my own way. So, don’t get discouraged - keep trying. Thousands of men & women have died to ensure that we have the right to a democratic process; their sacrifices should not be in vain. Please do your part and "rock the vote"!

Today was a real treat - I was able to do something I never thought I’d take part in. Lunch with Vice President Dick Cheney.There was plenty of security on hand, police officers with working K-9’s. I had the opportunity to thank those officers in Phoenix that caught the serial shooters recently. I also asked about the K-9’s and their specialty - it was bombs!The occasion took place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, the whole back room was lined with cameras, cameramen, lights, news media, reporters, all waiting for the moments we had to listen to what the Vice President of the United States had to share with us. Carefully positioned also, were Secret Service men looking around with every caution to protect the Vice President.Vice President Cheney touched on many topics briefly - mentioning the big drop in our dificit, tax cuts during this administration, the qualified judges recently put in place like John Roberts, and the ever-mindful war, America’s participation in Iraq.He explained that we cannot as civilians, politicians, a party of the people - who are away from the action, pick a time that pleases us, when our involvement in this war will end. He emphasized that those military personnel, the military strategist on the ground and in the action every day are the ones the Bush administration rely on, to consult with, in making those critical decisions. Vital National security was assured - and at the top of President Bush’s agenda.Vice President Cheney mentioned the most favored Presidents, Kennedy, Reagan, and Bush - rejecting any strategies to show defeat as serious, underscoring - we will not let down our guard.To hear him speak in person gives one a new deminsion and understanding of our President, those that serve, and at least a glimpse of the insight when making decisions for our country.Others that came by my table to say hello were Senator Jon Kyle, Republican Chairmen Matt Salmon, and the Honorable J.D. Hayworth. I also was glad to see and visit with City of Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers, District 6 during lunch.Channel 10 also stopped by - I agreed to an interview, I hope it shows on the news!