"A Promise Kept"

After Vietnam, we promised "no more". That did not mean no more wars, but wars based on just principles, not personal interests of a few.

If we rolled back the millionaire and corporate taxes to pre-2001 levels, brought our troops home and invested in cutting edge technologies like stem cell research (bio-tech) and alternative energies, we'd be back on the global map in job creation and a cleaner environment. If we adopted policies where health care was everybody's responsibility, we'd hold insurance companies and HMO's accountable and make health a right not a privilege. If we made education an investment, we'd see stronger communities and a more competitive society. If equality was a mandate and not a special interest goal, we could focus on the needs of all Americans, not just a few. It's time to return to OUR Constitution.

Carl Sheeler for US Senate!
http://www.carlsheeler.com

Authors note: Please take a look at Carl- he is a very worthy Senate contender and IMO deserves all of our support. If you can donate to his campaign or if you simply find his issues and beliefs aligned with yours, then blog him up! He needs all the help he can get as his campaign is strictly grass-roots/netroots based for obtaining revenue to sustain his race.

Thank you!

"Its time to replace fear with hope. This is the crucial message that America must begin to hear and believe in again. For hope is the mortal enemy of fear; and fear cannot succeed in the solidarity of inspired hope."

By Carl Sheeler
March 15, 2006

We're approaching 3 years in Iraq. What are the costs . . . in lives, in dollars, in our foreign alliances and our domestic future? It was never about keeping us safe here at home. By now most people know there was no connection between 9/11 and Iraq. We're not in the business of removing all the world’s malevolent dictators either. There are plenty on the Asian and African continents, too - about 86 who are unfriendly to the U.S. now.

What can we do to put a face on this war, its impact on our families and middle class Americans? We can seek accountability of our elected officials who are unwilling to acknowledge they were lied to, so they can do the right thing and pursue the real culprits of 9/11 and reunite our troops with their families.

If we want to "support our troops" we can do so by taking a small percentage of the time they have dedicated while deployed. We can contact our elected officials, write letters to the editor, call in to the radio and organize and participate in peaceful protests. It's the least we can do. We can also vote. Those votes are your opportunity to select and elect folks who put people's lives above broken political promises.

http://www.carlsheeler.com/blog1.asp

Sheeler for Senate in '06!
www.carlsheeler.com

"Its time to replace fear with hope. This is the crucial message that America must begin to hear and believe in again. For hope is the mortal enemy of fear; and fear cannot succeed in the solidarity of inspired hope."

"Now" is the time." Carl

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

I have liked Sheeler every since you introduced him to me. I don't know how many Rhode Islanders are on here, but I sure hope you will consider voting for this man in the primaries. He has a couple of people with name recognition running against him, but this man would truly be a no nonsense breath of fresh air in the Senate. All his points are dead on, and he isn't afraid to say it. I sent him a small donation and plan to send more as soon as I can. I have visited his website, and I hope he wins!!!

Victory in 06

By Carl Sheeler

Rhode Island's Next Working
Democratic U.S. Senator!
www.carlsheeler.com

March 20, 2006

Iraq – Who’s really benefiting?
This past weekend I had the privilege to join an increasing number of everyday Americans in Boston, Newport and Providence who showed the patriotism to ask for the immediate return of our troops from Iraq. It is clear they understood they were representing the majority opinion of Americans. I was honored to speak in memory of Rhode Island’s eight fallen servicemen and women.

Over 90% of our troops in Iraq want withdrawal within the year and 30% want it immediately. Most envision a multi-year civil war that won’t be prevented by their Constitution. Why the “disconnect” between public opinion and our legislators’ actions?

In Rhode Island, our elected officials have expressed there’s insufficient support for the end of our Iraq occupation. That’s untrue. Respected Zogby polls show Rhode Island is one of the top states wanting withdrawal. What’s worse, it’s passing the leadership buck on the majority whose daily lives are overwhelmed as it is. Some think politicians rely upon this, so as to take as little action as possible. I’d argue they are afraid to acknowledge they made a blunder going into the War. Our troops deserve better.

It is clear President Bush lied about the Al Qaeda – and the botched 9/11 connection. He then lied about the Weapons of Mass Destruction (impeachable offenses due to the loss of lives). The removal of Saddam Hussein, a third world dictator, among many to include the Saudi Royal family (remember the majority of airplane terrorists were Saudi) might make us safer, but there are dozens more (many whom we support) ignored regimes still in power.

Who benefits from our going into Iraq and staying there? Given the tens of thousands of Kurds gassed to death in 1988 and the Shia majority murdered after Bush Sr.’s pullout in 1991, humanitarian and civil rights weren’t the reason. We can look as close as Katrina or as far as Darfur, Sudan to see this isn’t the administration’s priority. Our communities aren’t safer with lowered funding for domestic security, education or healthcare. Let’s not forget Bush’s Dubai ports deal. What about the 2,300+ troops we have already lost? What about our disabled military personnel who equal ten times this number? How about those with psychological disabilities – they equal 50 times this number or the number of families whose lives are disrupted; 100 times this number.

So who benefits? Our Constitution has no provisions to spend American lives to protect and defend big business interests, yet they benefit most. Our military uses more petroleum than any other entity in the world - more so during time of war. This demand drives up oil prices, so oil companies benefit at taxpayers’ expense. They obviously also want access to the second largest oil reserve in the world. Rebuilding the Iraq we destroyed after Desert Storm is no less than a billions of dollars boon-doggle for contractors like Cheney’s Halliburton, at taxpayers’ expense. The replacement of tens of thousands of pieces of military equipment from bullets to Humvees puts billions of taxpayers’ dollars into military equipment manufacturers.

It’s un-American if corporate interests are coming before our public’s interest.

http://www.carlsheeler.com/blog1.asp

Defend Freedom! Sheeler in '06!

"Its time to replace fear with hope. This is the crucial message that America must begin to hear and believe in again. For hope is the mortal enemy of fear; and fear cannot succeed in the solidarity of inspired hope."

Marine Vet, Anti-War Candidate Sheeler Surpasses
Brown in RI U.S. Senate Race

Says Sheeler, “Two Whitehouses in DC is one too many”

Providence, RI (April 17, 2006) – Business owner, father of five, adjunct professor and Desert Storm era Marine Veteran Carl Sheeler reported in his FEC first quarter report that his campaign funds now surpass Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown’s by a ratio of almost 6 to 1. Sheeler has $200,000 cash on hand compared to Brown’s $35,000. This is far short of Sheldon Whitehouse’s $1.2 million reported available for the primary on September 12, 2006.

“I am grateful and humbled by the level of grassroots support our “Take Back Our Country” campaign has achieved from mostly working and middle class families. We’re proud of the fact that during this past quarter over 75% of our contributions ranged from $5 to $100 and are from every day Rhode Islanders – many of whom have shared they are veterans and single parents.

We have connected with many folks through direct mail and the internet who support our anti-war and Bush Impeachment efforts and don’t have $1,000+ to contribute to federal candidates like Brown and Whitehouse. As the Providence Journal reported, over two-thirds of their contributions are from wealthy out of state people. Do voters expect to be represented after the election? The wealth tax cuts squeezing the middle class prove otherwise.

I believe part of our surge in contributions was from our “BE PATRIOTIC IMPEACH BUSH” billboard erected along I-95 in February. We’ll be replacing it in May. I think support has also come from our warnings that our presence in Iraq means we would not have adequate funds for domestic programs like healthcare and education. Matt Brown’s campaign finance and ethics issues may have redirected financial support to us as well.

The Minnesota Democrat icon, Senator Paul Wellstone, a political outsider and unknown, won a tough and much larger primary than the one we’ll have here. Rhode Islanders are not swayed by the flash of cash alone. I trust they’ll see substance when Sheldon and Matt agree to a debate. While our cash for the primary is one-sixth of Whitehouse’s campaign, we believe people know two Whitehouse’s in DC is one too many.”

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http://www.carlsheeler.com/pres_release_sheeler_passes_brown.asp

"Its time to replace fear with hope. This is the crucial message that America must begin to hear and believe in again. For hope is the mortal enemy of fear; and fear cannot succeed in the solidarity of inspired hope."

Carl Sheeler gets my vote.

Support Carl Sheeler (D-RI) US Senate
Carl is the real guy, our voice
www.carlsheeler.com