Day394 Tuesday 09/27/11

ran 3.8 miles

Let’s assume Barack Obama gets another four years. We are still a little over one year out from when that decision will be made but take inventory of the last three years. At this point, three years later, our president’s and his counterparts’ greatest excuse for America’s grim circumstances is to point out how much worse things could have been if he had not made the decisions he had. Mere speculation of a nonexistent present and future is his best argument to justify the further decline America has endured since he has been our president.

So, let’s fast-forward…two years. It is September of 2013. Barack Obama is still our president. What pictures come to mind of what is going on in America?

I see injury beyond repair on an American landscape that fought hard for a pivotal change in 2012, but unfortunately lost. I am speaking hypothetically, of course, but 2012 is a critical crossroads and Barack Obama is spending this presidential term either setting a stage for a real hero to emerge, upon his own dismissal, and to lift this country back up to where it belongs or he is spending these four years blazing a path toward an America that is due to arrive in Greece soon.

Barack Obama has shown through his actions that what he seeks is to level the American playing field, and the world playing field if he can find a way. His vision is not American. Everyone shoots par when they golf. No scores are kept. Second-graders and college students alike all receive “C”s regardless of how badly they might want “A”s. What drive is there to open a small business or to revolutionize an industry if there is no reward? Why pay for medical school and strive to be a doctor when the medical field lacks all competitiveness and quality? You can apply this theme to any situation. Why do anything above and beyond if the reward is always average?

If our president wanted to lift this country out of the rut it is stuck in he could easily achieve this goal by utilizing our natural resources, drilling in particular, untying the governmental straight jackets that stifle the private sector, quit giving so many tax dollars to nations that despise us, abandon this fifty-state blanket health care law that will have the same effect on our already weakened economy as tossing a ten-pound medicine ball on an ant, and just get out of the way, federal government.

Someone Else 2012!

907.5 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day29.

Day393 Monday 09/26/11

ran 3.5 miles
It looks like the constitutionality of Obamacare is finally going to be judged by the Supreme Court soon. The Obama administration deferred requesting the 11th Circuit Court re-hear the health reform case today. This gesture shows that Barack Obama wants to go straight to the Supreme Court to decide whether this law is constitutional. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case immediately then the ruling would more than likely be determined in the heat of next year’s presidential election.

This law suit was brought forth by 26 states, the National Federation of Independent Business, and several individuals. And, regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, even more states are working toward a health care compact, which would free individual states from having to participate in Barack Obama’s fifty state blanket health care law.

911.3 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day28.

Day392 Sunday 09/25/11

ran 4.0 miles
Today ends week fifty-six of running against Obama. I ran 23.7 miles this week, averaging 3.39 miles per day.

On Day380 I had posted about Obama’s new website AttackWatch.com, which exists solely for Americans to turn in their friends and neighbors any time they hear negative comments or ideas about Barack Obama. As soon as I heard about the site I checked it out and turned myself in, explaining to AttackWatch.com that I was doing everything I could to make Barack Obama a one-term president. I informed them that I was running 2,080 miles against our president over the course of two+ years because I don’t believe he is doing anything to help this country.

Consequently, since that day I have been receiving emails from Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters. At first, I was frustrated that I kept getting them but then I started reading them and found them to be somewhat amusing in how ridiculous the messages were that they contained.

Here is part of one from Ann Marie Habershaw, the Chief Operating Officer of Obama for America. The subject line reads “Yes or no, people”. All of these emails are essentially asking for donations. But this one goes on to explain how “Our field team has an incredibly detailed plan for a ground game that reaches voters in all 50 states. That means opening offices in some battleground states right now, and laying the plans to open others across the country next year. The campaign has plans to be the biggest grassroots movement this country has ever seen.”

Biggest grassroots movement this country has ever seen? Good luck with that. While the Tea Party, the biggest grass roots movement this country has seen in a long, long time, peacefully wields logic and constitutional principles, our president seems to define grass roots movements as organizing union thugs and encouraging black Americans to “Put on their marching shoes”. Why would a president of the United States of America tell blacks to put on their marching shoes? Are other Americans unaffected by the dismal economy we are weathering right now? Shouldn’t he be telling everyone to put on their marching shoes?

Here is another one from Jim Messina, Campaign Manager of Obama for America.

“The wealthiest Americans don't need further tax cuts and in many cases aren't even asking for them. Requiring that they pay their fair share is the only practical way forward. The Republican alternative is to drastically slash education, gut Medicare, let roads and bridges crumble, and privatize Social Security. That's not the America we believe in -- but many in the Republican leadership actually prefer those policies, which explains their refusal to act.

That's why they'll say ‘tax increase’ over and over again, trying to muddy the waters and trick ordinary Americans into thinking the Buffett Rule will hurt them. And if we don't speak out right now, they just might get away with it.”
The message here is that raising taxes is the only practical way to move forward. Ridiculous. Ask any of the Republican candidates running for president right now if there are alternative solutions. There are many. This is the only solution in Barack Obama’s world, which we have been living in stagnantly for nearly three years. Four more years of this? Someone Else 2012!

914.8 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day27.

Day391 Saturday 09/24/11

ran 3.1 miles

Some stats and polls from Rasmussen Reports:

• Barack Obama’s presidential index rating shows that 21% of American voters strongly approve of his performance while 42% strongly disapprove, giving Obama a presidential index rating of –21.

• Overall, 44% of voters at least somewhat approve of Obama’s performance while 54% at least somewhat disapprove.

• Among American voters, 56% favor repeal of Barack Obama’s Health care law.

Congratulations, Herman Cain! A landslide victory in a straw poll that is historically accurate in naming the Republican national nominee. Florida has spoken and this victory for Mr. Cain reflects both the frustration America has with Obama and how eager America is to turn our country right-side-up. Can you imagine how vindicating it would be to see and hear a debate between Barack Obama and Herman Cain?! How about Joe Biden and, oh, I don’t know, Marco Rubio, maybe?

Herman Cain, 37.1%
Rick Perry, 15.4%
Mitt Romney, 14.0%
Rick Santorum, 10.9%
Ron Paul, 10.4%
Newt Gingrich, 8.4%
Jon Huntsman, 2.3%
Michele Bachmann, 1.5%

What a blow out! Again, congratulations on a heck of a victory, Mr. Cain!!!

918.8 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day26.

Day390 Friday 09/23/11

ran 2.1 miles

I’m running a 5k early tomorrow morning so short post tonight. Chris Christie is having second thoughts about running for president of the United States of America. Receiving much pressure from Republican donors and fundraisers combined with his opinion that there are no formidable candidates on the stage to achieve the changes and leadership America desires, Christie is rethinking a presidential run.

After saying to an audience at New Jersey’s Rider University that the current Republican candidates are failing to answer America’s desire for real leadership, Christie had this to say, “I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, 'Here's where I want us to go to deal with this crisis.’”

Furthermore, “The fact that nobody yet who's running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask Daniels (Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels) if he'll reconsider and ask me if I'll reconsider."

I say the more the better and I don’t think Chris Christie will be the last presidential candidate to jump in, either.

921.9 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day25.

Day389 Thursday 09/22/11

ran 3.7 miles

Big debate tonight in Orlando, Florida. I’m trying to finish tonight’s post so I can watch it live. Here is some history on the Florida debate/straw poll and why it is so important. The Republican Party of Florida has a unique ability to successfully pick the final Republican Presidential nominee. Tonight’s debate is the fifth since 1979. Florida is arguably America’s most significant swing state making it an important battleground for presidential candidates.

On November 12, 1979, Florida had its first Republican Presidency straw poll and Ronald Reagan was named the winner. Reagan went on to receive the national party nomination and defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.

On November 14, 1987, Florida held a second straw poll. George H.W. Bush won and eventually went on to defeat Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Florida’s third Republican presidency straw poll took place on November 18, 1995. Bob Dole won the straw poll and went on to win the national party nomination. He was defeated by Bill Clinton in 1996.

For reasons I am unaware of, the fourth straw poll portion of the Florida Republican debate was nixed. The fourth debate included John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter. There was no straw poll but the debate was obviously instrumental on the campaign trail.

And here we are at the fifth Republican Presidential debate and straw poll. Tonight is high stakes and the candidate who wins this straw poll is going to emerge with a substantial lead if history continues to repeat itself.

924.0 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day24.

Day388 Wednesday 09/21/11

ran 3.5 miles

I cannot think of one single person I know who would want to sit and listen to a multi-millionaire entrepreneur explain to them why it is important for the federal government to not take so much of his or her money. I don’t know anyone who would have the patience to hear someone who lives in a mansion and appears to not have a care in the world, which is not at all true, explain that when the rich get richer wealth naturally redistributes itself and that when the rich get robbed wealth introverts itself and sits under mattresses while the struggling social class’s burden to find work increases.

Redistribution of wealth is a natural process. It is a subtle trickling and not a forced downpour. Even America’s federal government cannot force a square peg with inch-long sides into a circular hole with an inch-wide diameter. It just doesn’t work, much like Barack Obama’s tax increases will not work, especially in the face of a crumbling economy and depressing unemployment numbers that refuse to budge.

I am only one man and I am an average man. I am not rich. There is a very good chance I never will be. And that is just fine. But as I type these words and tell you that redistribution of wealth at the scale Barack Obama seeks through tax increases is wrong, wrong, wrong, you don’t have to take it from me or from someone far more enterprising than myself. It is strictly common sense. The critical condition our economy is in and the stubborn unemployment we face, just to name a couple of things, combined with the ludicrous idea that taking even more money from the people who create jobs, invest, and spend will somehow make things better is an illusion.

Our president has failed so miserably that this is his final desperate option and desperation tends to suck out all rationality from one’s ability to problem-solve. For starters, get rid of this ridiculous, pie in the sky health care law, drill, unleash the private sector, drill some more, and just simply get the heck out of the way from the progress you are stifling.

Someone Else, 2012!

927.7 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day23.

Day387 Tuesday 09/20/11

ran 4.1 miles

As promised here are some pictures from one of the last races I ran. This 5k was in Sugarland, TX a couple weeks ago. These runs make it all worth it being able to wear one of my Running Against Obama shirts among 1,000+ other runners. I wear shirts like this very often when I run and most people either agree with my message or say nothing at all, one way or the other. So it is hard to tell what exactly people may think. But I know what I think and I am more than ready to defend what I think.

The miles I run, the words I type, and the freedom I feel campaigning against Barack Obama are palatable. And I encourage anyone who is tired of the frustration they may express only behind closed doors and among close acquaintances to venture out and get involved in getting this country turned around and lifted to the potential it deserves. Thanks again for reading!

931.2 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day22.

Day386 Monday 09/19/11

ran 3.2 miles
“The last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession.”

Barack Obama, 2009

Here in September of 2011 our president is now calling for $1.5 trillion in new taxes. That is $1,500,000,000,000.00 in case you were curious how many zeros were in there. Here is an informative article with details on the plan. In a few words, he wants to tax the wealthy, tighten tax breaks for corporations, and put more of a tax burden on health care providers. President Obama’s plan calls for nearly $3.00 in new tax increases for every $1.00 in additional spending cuts. He is contradicting precisely what he stated in the video above and he is obviously out of ideas and credibility. The wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations, as well as, small businesses are obviously not hiring at a level that is lowering unemployment numbers, so the logic here is to tax them even more and to take away many of their business tax breaks. That sounds like a real winning idea to get things moving in a stagnant economy that will become even more threatened if this thing passes.

"Veto threats, a massive tax hike, phantom savings and punting on entitlement reform is not a recipe for economic or job growth-or even meaningful deficit reduction.”

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell

935.3 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day21.

Day 385 Sunday 09/18/11

Fading, fading, fading

ran 2.4 miles
Today ends week fifty-five of running against Obama. I ran 19.7 miles this week, averaging 2.81 miles per day.

938.5 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day20.

Day384 Saturday 09/17/11

ran 3.1 miles
I ran a 5k this morning in Carencro, Louisiana, put on by Bridge Ministries of Acadiana. It was for a great cause and the weather was perfect---overcast, breezy and cool. The guy that won this thing ran it in something like 16:15. That’s 3.1 miles at an average of 5 minutes and 24 seconds per mile. That is an amazing time and I will never run enough miles to achieve anything near that. I came in sixth or seventh place at just over 22 minutes and I am more than happy with that.

When “Running Against Obama” began it was not my goal to run competitively but, rather, to express to readers how determined I was to do whatever was in my power to contribute anything I could to make Barack Obama a one-term president. This was my initial message: I am so fed up with America’s leadership and the tarnish that is greening our copper that I am going to run every single day for two years, two months, and a few more days after that, still, just to maximize the point that I am fed up and I simply don’t know what else to do.

Here we are 384 days later and I am happy to say this campaign against Barack Obama, this protest against his policies, this demonstration against how misled and underwhelming his term has been, is becoming more than I would have ever expected. The daily running and the act of staying informed have transformed my life, to say the least.

Thanks for reading and lets get this guy out of the White House!

Someone Else 2012!!!

940.9 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day19.

Day383 Friday 09/16/11

ran 1.3 miles
I am running a 5k tomorrow morning so I didn’t run much today and I’ll be doing a short post tonight. Above is a video outlining Herman Cain’s campaign platform. I like this guy. His ideas on reforming our tax codes, or, rather abolishing them and putting something else in place that makes sense, is worth electing him for, alone. Our federal government no longer works as it is. It clinks and grinds and sputters. All of the gears and machinery in our government are enclosed in a shiny red, white and blue box that conceals how broken the inside is. The American machine, which is our federal government, needs a lot of new parts…replacement parts.

Here are some facts about the state of South Dakota:

• South Dakota was the fortieth state to join the union on November 2, 1889, six days before Montana and on the same day as North Dakota.

• Population, as of 2010, is 814,180.

• Senators are Tim Johnson (D) and John Thune (R).

• Representative of South Dakota is Kristi Noem (R).

• South Dakota has three electoral votes. Historically, the state is reliably red. The last time South Dakota voted blue was in 1964 for Lyndon Johnson. In 2008, McCain defeated Obama 53% to 45%.

944.0 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day18.

Day382 Thursday 09/15/11

ran 2.1 miles

Some stats and polls from Rasmussen Reports:

• Barack Obama’s presidential index rating shows that 23% of American voters strongly approve of his performance while 40% strongly disapprove, giving Obama a presidential index rating of –17.

• Overall, 46% of voters at least somewhat approve of Obama’s performance while 53% at least somewhat disapprove.

• Among American voters, 32% believe the president’s policies have helped the nation’s economy while 50% believe they have hurt.

• Only 17% believe the country is generally heading in the right direction.

• Among American voters, 59% believe the U.S. Government encourages illegal immigration.

“I’d like to work my way around Congress.”

“I wish I had a magic wand and could make this all happen on my own”

"We live in a democracy, and at the end of the day, I can't do this all by myself under our democratic system."

These are all quotes from Barack Obama yesterday at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 34th Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center. Does this guy realize he is in America? Was he not told the details surrounding what he signed up for?

Barack Obama is the president of the United States of America and he is expressing his desire to be a dictator, he is further proving how little consideration he has for the overwhelming number who oppose his ideas, and, finally, he is claiming that he is bitter about and frustrated with America’s democratic system. Again, does he know what country he is in and was he unaware of what political system he was getting himself into? I don’t know whose interests he represents in his motives but he sounds like a child wishing for magic wands and complaining about not getting his way. I would venture to say that this man is actually blaming America for being too American.

945.3 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day17.

Day381 Wednesday 09/14/11

Vigilancia de Ataque!!!

Marooned In Marin

ran 3.5 miles

947.4 miles to go.

Here is what happened one year ago on Day16.