Kenneth Eaton for U.S. Senate 2008 blogspot

Press Release 08/06/08: Why should you vote for Kenneth Eaton?

2008-08-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Press Release 08/06/08: Why should you vote for Kenneth Eaton?

My Fellow Tennesseans,

Tomorrow is an important day for the state of Tennessee as we decide who should represent both parties in our federal and state offices. I come to you today not as a representative of the Kenneth Eaton campaign, but as his son, to explain why Tennessee should vote for Kenneth Eaton.

Kenneth Eaton is your average Tennessean, he works daily, hands on, to provide for families in Nashville. He's not a lawyer, a lobbyist , or a career politician, he's your everyday citizen. The main advantage my dad has over the other candidates is his 30+ years of experience working for the people of this state. My father has been blessed with great success for all of his hard work. Though he has given much of his life to helping those who need it, the time has come for him to step up and represent our state as a whole. Rest assured, Kenneth Eaton is the best candidate for the job.

Kenneth Eaton is a Democrat. When in the Senate he will work with both parties to represent the true spirit of Tennessee. For example, Americans are losing trillions of tax dollars in Iraq. Rebuilding the country and maintaining what peace is possible, while the Iraqi government sits on an 80 billion dollar oil surplus. He will push hard in the Senate to request some of the profits be utilized to repay the American rebuilding effort. He will also push for immediate legislation to end the occupation in Iraq, and withdraw all troops in a safe and timely manner.

My father believes we need to transistion to alternative fuels, and that we can do so by federally funding research, and utilizing the capped oil-wells across the nation to provide a slight relief for ever increasing gas prices. Remember, when Bush took office gas was $1.46 a gallon. 8 years of inflation does not account for nearly a $3 cost increase. When your president is from a family of "oil-men" and gas increases so drastically the obvious answer is that the president allowed costs to be manipulated, for his personal benefit.

Kenneth Eaton supports our military. He supports increasing Veterans benefits across the board, as well as implementing new benefits such as full psychological care, and access to holistic/alternative medicines. Kenneth believes that our military budget should be focused on modernizing our military, and implementing mechanized units. This alone would save thousands of lives, and eventually billions of tax dollars. My father does not support Emperialism, or pre-emptive military action. He believes that those committed to service should only be called upon when a threat is truly imminent.

Kenneth Eaton's business background is what we need in the Senate to correct the course of our floundering economy. His extensive knowledge of budgeting andfunding will help steer the course towards a stabilized economy. Kenneth Eaton is committed to keeping American jobs in America, to the extent of using tax penalties against American companies whose operations are based overseas. He would support legislation creating "green jobs", which will create an entirely new career field for millions of Americans, as well as help us work towards a cleaner, more enjoyable environment. One thing many politicians forget when they get in office, is that the people that elected them are the priority. When our nation has fixed it's own problems, then we can fix the rest of the worlds. Kenneth supports international aid, but believes we need to focus more on national aid.

Our schools are ranking lower and lower by the year, when compared to the rest of the world. If we do not immediately fully fund our education systems needs, we are bound to destroy ourselves. How can a public that isn't offered a proper education be expected to have the knowledge to sustain itself and continue to thrive? This is why Kenneth Eaton is focused on Education. Changes still need to be made to get our schools back on par with the rest of the world. Our children deserve the best, and with proper balancing of the budget we can provide them with the best.

Our nation is in the midst of a health care crisis. When elected Kenneth Eaton will work hard with both democratic and republican Senators to come to a mutual decision as to how to provide national health-care. Be it fully universal, or universal with buy in options, we should examine what other nations systems look like, and how they work. If we truly look into how to setup our program, based on the successes of other nations programs, we can provide a successful National Health-Care System. While many in this country fear this will increase taxes, or will cause detrimental problems to the nation, there are millions of Americans with zero health coverage. Many cannot afford insurance, and have to live without it. As a nation that provides for itself, we should be willing to provide for those who work hard, and cannot afford medical treatment. Kenneth Eaton does not support a tax increase to fund this program.

In closing, Kenneth Eaton supports upgrading our military, and removing troops from Iraq. Kenneth Eaton supports researching alternative fuels, and utilizing the resources available within our nation until alternative fuels are viable. Kenneth Eaton believes that outsourcing hurts the American economy, and supports bringing American jobs back to Americans. Kenneth Eaton supports properly funding our schools, and ensuring this funding comes from the existing federal budget. Kenneth Eaton supports a viable universal health care system, without increasing taxes. Kenneth Eaton is a Tennessean willing and able to represent Tennessee's views. He's not indebted to lobbyists, he's indebted to the people of Tennessee. This is why I'm voting for Kenneth Eaton,and why you should too.

Sincerely,

John Eaton

Kenneth Eaton on Domestic Funding

2008-08-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

There is an old saying "As Rome goes, so goes the world". A fair warning of what is to come when a government or empire expands beyond its means. Since the Republicans have taken the presidency our country has stretched its military beyond its means. As such we must constantly throw more and more money at the problem, in hopes of eventually buying a resolution. Not only do those we are at war with suffer more, but our society as a whole begins to lose funding for needs necessary for its continuation.

On this, the one year anniversary of the Interstate 35 West bridge collapse in Minnesota, we should focus on what type of representation we want in the senate. We don't want another 4 years of a Republican, who supports going to war with Iran, while we are still at war with Iraq and Afghanistan. We need Kenneth Eaton, a Democrat, who will fund our domestic issues. "Across the United States, there are about 600,000 bridges. The Federal Highway Administration reported in 2006 that one quarter of the nation's bridges were at risk. The American Society for Civil Engineers said in 2006 that it would cost nearly $10 billion every year for the next two decades to fix them." (Source CNN: Nation's bridges, roads still 'structurally deficient' 8/1/2008)

We cannot continue to throw money into unjustifiable wars. The American people do not deserve the image that our current adminstration has cast to the world. The U.S. is disliked, because our leaders have forgotten to why they are in office, which is to serve the American people. Kenneth Eaton believes in using a standard business approach to foreign affairs. Kenneth supports negotiations and sanctions instead of shock and awe. Kenneth will work hard to return our tax dollars to their rightful place, funding and repairing our roads and infrastucture systems.

Tennesseans cannot afford another 6 years of Lamar Alexander. Kenneth Eaton is the only candidate will to put Lamar to task for his actions over the past 6 years.Vote for Kenneth Eaton this primary election, August 7th 2008, and Tennessee can rest assured that they will be taken care of again. When we win the primary, then we can show Tennessee what an elected official is really supposed to do. Kenneth Eaton will fight to ensure our domestic issues are faced head on.

Kenneth Eaton Responds to Bob Tuke

2008-07-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

A Response to Bob Tuke

Mr. Tuke,

First of all I will not apologize for being 12 years old during your service in Vietnam and second of all, I'm not questioning your service, but your flagrant abuse of the Marine uniform for your own personal and political gain. Quoting your reluctant hero Alvin C. York:

" This uniform ain't for sale."
York, on demands for his endorsement

and

"It's over; let's just forget about it."
York's modesty about the the event that brought him the Medal of Honor

Sincerely,

Kenneth Eaton

Kenneth Eaton on Bob Tukes Military Background

2008-07-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

My Fellow Tennesseans,

As a patriotic citizen I have always supported our military personnel. If it weren't for our veterans and active duty soldiers we would not have the freedoms we enjoy to this day. I have five brother-in-laws who were active duty infantrymen during Vietnam. All five are great citizens committed to the service of the American people. These five men are perfect examples of exemplary military service. For two years I watched one of these great men fight through the hardest battle of his life. He would have never had to fight this battle if it weren't for 'Agent Orange' being sprayed in Vietnam.

For the last six months, this great vet spent time sharing his stories with his family. He had never even told his children about the horrors he had seen. He told us all of the trials and tribulations of Vietnam; Showing us the photos of the friends he lost, one of them died in his arms. He told us how scarring it was. He said he left home a boy; but this war made him a man. We lost him two months ago. Why am I so adamant about true service to those who have given everything to their country? Because I have seen these heroes suffering first hand. That Mr. Tuke is why I will take better care of every veteran from every war; including the homeless.

I commend Bob Tuke and his service to our country. All veterans deserve this respect. However, I must question his purpose of constantly flaunting his military service. Most veterans I speak to do not talk about their time in the service; With the exception of reunions between brothers-in-arms. Mr. Tuke, you have called yourself a ground pounder. The Marines definition of a ground pounder is a "Desk Jockey". I understand pride in service; but should you really be claiming to have stormed the hill? While Mr. Tuke deserves commendation for his service; one must question whether this is just pride in service, or utilizing this service for political means. I will do more for our Veterans than Mr. Tuke because I know what it is like to sit back and watch a great hero die. I cannot allow another family to experience that same pain without the government doing EVERYTHING they can to help our sick troops.

Bob Tuke was a "Desk Jockey" as a Marine. When he returned home he became a "Desk Jockey" as an attorney, who just happens to already represent the major corporations who are costing Tennesseans jobs. Bob Tuke can't and won't become Senator because if he does, he will continue his career as a "Desk Jockey" and a representative of Giant Corporations.

-Kenneth Eaton

Kenneth Eaton Say's "Lamar is Bushes Man in TN"

2008-06-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Fellow Tennesseeans,

I'm Kenneth Eaton and I'm running for the U.S. Senate. I want to say a few words about our current senator, Lamar Alexander, a loyal Republican who supports the policies of a president who has brought disaster to our nation.

It is no coincidence that so MANY things have gone wrong the past eight years. President Bush's mistakes all come from the same sad source. The president takes his marching orders from the lobbyists of the major corporations, and so must Lamar, obviously, because he almost always votes with the administration.

Let's examine a few things that have happened these last eight years. Remember the electric shortages in California? The administration blamed those shortages on environmentalists. Turned out Enron was creating those shortages by withholding energy from the grid in order to raise prices. Their dishonesty brought rolling blackouts to California.

Remember Iraq? Five years after "Mission Accomplished," we're still there. When the president and his Republican friends are making billions and billions on no-bid contracts supplying services to the war, something is very wrong.

Then there was the mortgage bubble, which occurred because this administration believes we should not regulate our financial institutions, even though the savings and loan scandals several years back PROVED that our financial institutions could not be trusted to do the right thing without the government looking over their shoulder.

Let's also not forget the largest tax cuts go to the richest people in our society. Republicans keep saying that if these tax cuts are rescinded then the tax burden will somehow fall on the middle and working classes. That is a shameless lie, just like the lie that says Republicans care about sound money. Under this administration our national debt has been growing at such an alarming rate that the rest of the world, which once measured their worth in dollars, no longer trusts either the dollar or the integrity of the United States. It is the shrinking dollar, more than anything, that is responsible for the inflation that is stealing our financial security from us.

All these things together are ruining the future of the middle and working classes. And here is Lamar, like a bobblehead doll, nodding in unison with all these failed Bush policies. The president has a national approval rating of 25 percent, the worst approval rating ever - even worse than Nixon - and Lamar Alexander has given that man his support from day one!

If we are going to bring our country back on track, we need a lot more than a new president. We need to sweep the old Bush mindset out of our Senate.

Lamar Alexander equals George Bush, Dick Cheney and the big corporations who have been robbing our country for all too long. Let's get Lamar out of the Senate. Let's get the Republicans out of the White House. Let's take back our country.

I would appreciate your vote in the Democratic primary on August 7 so I can work toward making these changes.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Eaton
For U.S. Senate 2008

Eaton Fights Eminent Domain

2008-06-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

U.S. Senate Candidate Kenneth Eaton joins Joy Ford's Eminent Domain Battle

NASHVILLE

In recent years politicians and big business have joined in a diabolical alliance to confiscate property from American citizens through the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain was originally created to allow the government to buy private property for public use such as schools, fire halls, etc.

Today, if a big company wants to build a big project and the little guy who owns the property wants more money than the company is willing to pay, the company simply puts a call through to its political cronies and gets them to condemn the property by eminent domain for a more friendly price. "It’s a filthy, corrupt process that in recent years was actually endorsed by the United States Supreme Court, and it means that your house or place of business is not necessarily safe for you if some big corporation covets it for their own use."

Joy Ford is a strong, independent woman who has helped many aspiring singers and musicians over the years from her small office building off Demonbreun Street, near Music Row. A huge Houston Developer, the Lionstone Group, wants her property so they can build a $100 million office, condo and hotel complex on Demonbreun.

Democratic Senatorial Kenneth Eaton feels her pain.Back in 2001 Eaton's auto dealership, which he had owned and operated for 32 years, was taken from him by eminent domain. The legal argument was that the property was better suited for low cost housing. Instead of low-cost housing, condos now selling for $250,000 each were built on that property.

“This is nothing more than a land grab,” says Eaton about the Joy Ford property. “And to make things even worse, this is a case of metro government shafting a local property owner for the benefit of a Texas company!”

Eaton has little in common with some of the Libertarians who are backing Ford in her fight against Lionstone, but to him, “This is a vile injustice. Metro claims that Ms. Ford’s property is in a blighted area. Well, that’s nothing but a lie.The wedge of mostly cleared land they want to build on is sandwiched between a nice row of recently developed restaurants on Demonbreun, and the BMI headquarters on Division Street. I don’t think there’s anything blighted about the restaurants or that big, beautiful Broadcast Music, Inc. building.

"That’s good, solid, developable property with or without Joy Ford’s little building," says Eaton. "But I guess it’s not what Lionstone feels they need, so they’ve found somebody in metro to do their dirty work.They think they have a right to roll right over Ms. Ford, and they’ve found a co-conspirator in metro. I mean, since when did a bunch of Texas high-rollers come to own the Nashville government? By the way, last I heard we were overbuilt in downtown condos already. So where is the overriding need to confiscate this property from a citizen and hand it to an out of town company with a grand scheme to build what we already have too much of?"

“Oh, one more thing,” adds Eaton. “For all those who believe big government is all you have to fear, I’d like to say that big corporations are just as great a menace to our freedom. So beware of politicians and certain media out there who are always trying to get the government to grant more privileges to the giant international corporations that rule Wall Street and Washington. Those corporations are in the process of ruining the middle class for their own benefit.”

Economic Stimulus? It's really called "welfare for everyone".

2008-06-23T16:24:00.002-07:00

Over the course of the next month Tennesseans have an extremely important decision to make. This decision will affect millions of Tennesseans over the next fifty years, and could literally determine our children's futures for them.

"Six more years of Lamar Alexander is a guarantee that your children will never know the America you and I grew up in." Senatorial candidate Kenneth Eaton said Monday. "Americans do not need a hand-out in hard economic times. They need their government to work for them, and solve this economic crisis."

Kenneth Eaton believes the government should help you get a job, or open your own business. "American small business is the back-bone of the American economy," Kenneth said, "Without small businesses our economy is destined to decline. The government must step-up and help the people stay in business."

"The 2008 Economic Stimulus Package was cleverly named, and actually sounds progressive and responsible. Sadly, neither are true. At a time of record budget short falls, two unfunded wars, and skyrocketing debt, Lamar's answer was "welfare for everyone"; regardless of financial ramifications.

To then change its name to a more palatable one like Economic Stimulus Package is an insult to American intelligence. Frankly, if a more irresponsible financial stunt in this great republics history exists, it's gone unrecorded. Giving away money because the current republican administration has botched our economy to such a degree that only lining everyones pockets with free money that future generations will pay for, is contemptible.

Does Lamar have no shame?

"You can call it whatever you want, it's still 'Welfare for Everyone' " Eaton said.
"I suppose this sums up Lamar's ability to manage our money."

Press Release: Alternative Energy

2008-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

Kenneth Eaton says, "We've seen Enough of Big Oil,
George Bush, and Lamar Alexander'

Dear Fellow Tennesseans,

Kenneth Eaton here, running hard to be your United States Senator. I notice that President Bush is once more screaming that we need to drill for oil in the ocean off our shores, even though he knows there aren't enough deep water drilling ships available to make a difference. What a crock!

Friends, if we're going to shake loose from depending upon antagonists like Iran and Venezuela for our energy, we're going to have to promote a whole lot of different energy solutions, not just oil. Those international oil companies who have assured us for years that they will supply all the oil we need have let us down again, like they've let us down before. Do they ever lobby for more efficient cars or other conservation measures? No. They like inefficient cars and bad conservation policies because next quarter's bottom line is what matters to them - even if their own country's economy is going right down the drain.

However, in our own country and elsewhere are plenty of growing young businesses that ARE coming up with new solutions: better solar panels, wind powered generators, hydrogen powered cars, electric plug-in vehicles, and yes, safe nuclear plants. Give us five or ten years of tax incentives for folks other than oil companies, and we'll have this energy thing licked! Then Ahmedinejad and Chavez can peddle their oil to the Martians!

All our president can talk about is oil, which is what got us in this mess in the first place. I am running to replace Senator Alexander because anything president Bush is for, Alexander is for. We've seen enough of big oil. We've seen enough of President Bush. Haven't we seen enough of Lamar, too?

Sincerely,
Kenneth Eaton

---Dresden Enterprise--- Political Candidates Stump for Upcoming Elections

2008-06-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

From The Weakley County News Paper
'The Dresden Enterprise'
Thanks to David Fischer for Providing Photo and Copy!

On Tuesday, Nashville businessman Kenneth Eaton (left), who is running for U.S. Senate,
was welcomed to Weakley County by Bob Bell of Martin, the Democratic nominee
for the Weakley County Commissioner’s Seat in District 7.

Political candidates stump for upcoming elections

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

Two political candidates were at the Weakley County Courthouse on Tuesday to discuss the
issues in upcoming elections.

Nashville businessman Kenneth Eaton, a candidate for U.S. Senate, visited elected officials and staff members at county offices at the courthouse, as well as other folks in downtown Dresden, during his stumping tour of the state. He also spoke with local members of the news media in order to explain his position on the issues.

Bob Bell of Martin, who is the Democratic nominee for the Weakley County Commissioner’s Seat in District 7, also stopped by to greet Eaton and wish him well in the upcoming elections.

“I’m running for U.S. Senate,” Eaton said. “No major promises, but the main thing we want to do is go to Washington and help bring universal health care to our state and the other states.

“We’ve got some serious problems with the economy, and we want to be able to help out with that.

“Gas prices are a major issue, and we’ve got to get them under control. We’ve got to figure out why the oil companies are making such larger profits and gas continues to go up.”

“We’ve got a War in Iraq that we shouldn’t be in. And that brings up some more issues with the War in Iraq – the oil that’s there. There was an agreement that we would be using that oil to pay for the war, but not a drop has been brought out of there yet. That could help our economy, if that was brought out.

“We need to put our farmers back to work. Our country needs to be self-sufficient again. We need to bring our farmers back to farming. And to do that, the government is going to have to step in and stop paying them not to farm and pay them to farm, in order to get them to start growing crops. And to make the U.S. more self-sufficient is the bottom line, and not dependent on other countries. It may take a while to get that done, but I’m tired of seeing everything made in China and other countries. It’s time we go back to ‘made in the U.S.A.’

“Another issue is jobs. This is about the 40^th county that we’ve come to and you’ll see these factories sitting vacant. The government is going to have to step in and offer incentives to small businessmen to come in and open those factories up. The old jobs are not going to come back. We’ve got to bring new jobs in. That will be the number one priority. Bringing the jobs in will bring the economy back. Every town I go to, there’s a factory that’s vacant with 1,000 people ready to go to work. So, we’ve got the people ready to work. We have the place to put them. We just need the jobs. I think that would be great for the country. I think it would be great for Tennessee.

Political Background

Eaton’s only other bid for public office was in 2007, when he ran unsuccessfully against Bob Clement for Mayor of Nashville.

“I became good friends with Bob,” Eaton said. “I thought Bob was going to pull out. I knew we didn’t have a chance against Bob. But he didn’t pull out, so I stayed in the race, and afterwards, I joined Bob’s team. He called me and asked me to join.”

“I don’t consider myself a politician,” Eaton said. “I’m a businessman. I’ve been in business for over 32 years in Nashville. I’m 50 years old. I was in the automobile business for 32 years, and I’m in the real estate investment business.

“I meet with people on a daily basis, and know what there needs are. Our politicians have failed us. They are in Washington and listen to what the lobbyist are telling them to do. Where. I think, I will differ is, I’m there everyday with the people and I know what they need and know what they want and know what they are asking for. I believe I can help in that way.

“I love getting out and meeting with people and doing what I can to help. That’s the main thing. I’ve positioned my life now to where I’m not looking for a job. I’m looking for an opportunity to help the people. Running for office shouldn’t be for yourself. This will be for my kids and my grandkids.

“Tennessee has basically been a Democratic state until the last 10 years,” Eaton said. “So, our Democratic Party has basically let us down the last several years. This is going to be a Democrat year. We are going to elect a Democratic president this year. This is the time when Tennessee needs to come back to being a Democrat state.

“I feel like where I can help in this area, where the other two candidates can’t, is I think I can bring the Republicans who are on the borderline to our side - those not knowing whether to vote Democrat or Republican. I can bring those people over.

“What they are scared of is the political machine, and (as a businessman) they will see that I am not the political machine. I’m the one who will vote for what is best for the people. I think I can bring both parties together.”

Position on the Issues

Gun Control (2^nd Amendment Rights) - On the topic of gun control, Eaton said, “Let me tell you, I’m a gun permit holder. And, I feel like everyone has the right to bear arms, providing that they have no criminal record. If we can get the guns out of the criminal’s hands, that’s fine, but we don’t need to get the guns out of the hands of (law abiding citizens). I am a gun holder. I don’t carry mine too often, but I feel like I’ve got the right to. I’ve got a certification to carry it. But I definitely believe that people should be able to carry their firearm.”

Illegal Immigration & Border Control – “The government has spent so much money protecting our border and it’s failed. I think it’s slowed them (illegals) down, and that’s great. But as far as spending billions of dollars to put a fence up, I don’t agree with that. I think we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing, and keep pressuring those with criminal backgrounds. The ones who want to come over and get legal, this is the land of opportunity. So we’ve got to open our door to that.

Opposing Candidates

“There are six of us on the Democratic ticket,” Eaton said. There are three of us that are, I guess the main runners. That’s Robert D. Tuke from New York who moved to Tennessee in later life, and William Mike Padgett from East Tennessee.”

The other Democratic candidates on the primary ticket are: Mark E. Clayton, Gary G. Davis, and Leonard D. 'Lenny' Ladner.

Whoever the Democratic nominee is, he will face off against incumbent Republican candidate Lamar Alexander, as well as Independent candidates: Edward L. Buck, Christopher G. Fenner, David Gatchell, Ed Lawhorn, Daniel Towers Lewis, and Christopher J. 'Chris' Lugo.

Family Background

Kenneth Eaton, who was born in Nashville on October 7, 1957, is now 50 years old. He was raised in the Creive Hall area of South Nashville.

Kenneth is a graduate of Overton High School.

On August 1, 1975 Kenneth Eaton married Nashville native Toni Pugh, who graduated from Glencliff High School in 1975. On August 1, 2007 Kenneth and Toni celebrated their 32^nd wedding anniversary.

Kenneth and Toni have two sons, - Jim 31 and Tommy 26, as well as one grandchild.

Business Background

Kenneth is founder and CEO of Eaton Automotive Group and Southeast Investments. Toni owns and operates Posh Hair Design located in the Eaton Building in downtown Nashville.

“My family’s in the automobile business,” Eaton said. “My mother, who is 72 years old, is still in the automobile business. My dad has always bought real estate property. The family is from Nashville. I was born in Nashville. My dad was from Murfreesboro and my mother was from Coffee County in Manchester, Tennessee.”

Contact Information

Those wishing to learn more about the political platform of Kenneth Eaton may contact him as follows:

Campaign Email: contact@kennetheaton.com

Campaign Website: http://www.kennetheaton.com/

Campaign Address: 200 Church Street, Suite 301, Nashville, TN 37201

Alexander Re-Election Bid. Is He Serious?

2008-06-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Democratic Senatorial candidate Kenneth Eaton on Wednesday said "Lamar Alexander first said 'he would never again seek elected office', then ran for office. Now, he wants another six year term. Having been a key republican figure in directing the worst overall financial condition of America in 70 years, He wants the voters to give him 6 more years, presumably in an attempt to fix the problems he helped cause."

2008 American Financial Facts:

Sadly the current administration has led America into not just a recession, but also:
Record U.S. Poverty
Record U.S. Budget Deficit
Record National Debt
Record U.S. Trade Imbalance
And Record domestic home Foreclosures

"The simple fact is, Tennesseans can't afford on the job training for Lamar Alexander any longer" Kenneth said.

Southern Standard Article: Democratic Candidates Face Off

2008-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Published in the Southern Standard
May 24th 2008
written by Duane Sherrill

due to the fact the southern standard is a pay website, we are only publishing the copy provided quoting Kenneth Eaton on that day. Thank you for understand!

Kenneth Eaton said he will bring business sense to the office currently held by Lamar Alexander.
Politicians have screwed up enough, so we need to put someone in there with some business sense, Eaton said, saying he can defeat Alexander in November.

Gas Tax Holiday?

2008-04-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Gas Tax Holiday?

This morning, Clinton unveiled a plan to tax oil company “windfall” profits to pay for a gas tax holiday, which she said would provide needed relief for working-class Americans, who have seen energy costs take up greater percentage of their incomes.

I think Mrs. Clinton is on the right track here. Any Corporation that nets billions of dollars in profit per quarter, shouldn't be allowed to constantly increase costs. While we must focus on Alternative Fuel Vehicles, we have to find the one that is right for us.

I personally felt ethanol was a step in the right direction. Now we face a Corn Shortage worldwide, American's don't see results of food shortages (except price increases), keeping it a whispered topic. We do have other viable options, but with the time involved in research and development we have to find something to reduce the cost of gas now. A holiday on the gas tax, at the expense of the oil companies is a great start. However, it is only a temporary fix to a very long term problem. Other solutions are available, such as Federal Price Regulations. These are options we must consider, for the American people.

Kenneth Eaton

Democrats Urge Delegates to Rush Decision.

2008-04-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

"Decision Time Says Dean"
click link above for full story.

""I need them to say who they're for starting now," Dean said on CNN yesterday. "We cannot give up two or three months of active campaigning and healing time. We've got to know who our nominee is. And there's no reason not to know after the last primary on June 3."

There are roughly 320 remaining uncommitted superdelegates. A number of them are in states that have already voted, so there's no excuse for them not to register a preference when everyone else in their state has.

The New York Times reports today that Hillary Clinton's attacks have not pushed superdelegates away from Barack Obama. In fact, quite the opposite has happened, with Obama picking up a steady stream of superdelegate endorsements.

Because of the math needed to clinch the nomination, pledged delegates cannot alone decide this contest. The superdelegates will. So what are they waiting for?

UPDATE: Two prominent Clinton backers object to Dean's ultimatum. No real surprise there, since a number of prominent Clintonites were opposed to Dean taking over as DNC chair and critical of his 50-state-strategy. Yet when I spoke to Zimmerman back in February, he had nothing but nice things to say about Dean and admitted he had made a mistake in criticizing him previously. ""

As a Democrat it is often hard for me to criticize my own party. However, I can't say I completely Back Mr. Dean on this decision. While the Super-Delegates from the states that have voted should be forced to make a decision, The states that haven't voted deserve the chance to decide which candidate they prefer for President.

At such an important time in our political arena it is precedent that we commit ourselves to electing a Democratic President, as well as a Democratic majority to the Senate. To focus on forcing a decision is going to scare some voters away from the party, or the polls all together. While we are in a bit of a dilemma as the math doesn't allow a pre-determined candidate for our party, this does not mean we should not be focused on spreading the message of the democratic party. As long as we listen to the voters, we will win.

I respect Mr. Dean and all that he has done for the party, but on this one particular decision I must disagree. I do hope our party will continue to allow the people to decide.

Lastly I support both Democratic Presidential Candidates, and I believe that we will be better off with either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office.

Kenneth Eaton

Jimmy Carter Met with Hamas.

2008-04-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have had a recent influx of e-mails concerning Former President Jimmy Carter's trip to meet with Hamas leadership. While I respect your concerns of Mr. Carter meeting with political organizations, one must also read past the headlines.

Jimmy Carter In Palestine Jan. 2005Photo Courtesy of The Carter Center.

Below is the link to an Article from the Christian Science Monitor (one of the most respected media outlets on the planet); which I hope you will take the time to read.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0422/p07s01-wome.html

After reading this article one can see Mr. Carter's intentions were quite clear. As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mr. Carter noticed a lack of negotiation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Being that Mr. Carter negotiated Peace Accords between the Egyptians and the Israelis in the 70's; he is the most logical person to meet with these two organizations.

To achieve peace in the Middle East we must utilize every option available to us. The most important of these will be diplomacy. This is all Mr. Carter’s visit was about, Diplomatic meetings with a political organization. Open lines of political discussion are precedent to avoiding further conflict in the Middle East. I will not support any bills that would punish Mr. Carter.

If you are against Mr. Carter's trip, I support your right to your opinion. I believe in Bi-Partisanship, Diplomacy, and Negotiation. As long as the legislation is beneficiary to the American public I will support the bill. I am not a career politician. I am a businessman. We can do better, and I will do better.

Thank you for contacting me, and feel free to email me with any further concerns or questions concerning the 2008 U.S. Senate Race.

Kenneth Eaton

Alexander proposes Flat Tax

2008-04-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Alexander Proposes Flat Tax

click link above for full article.
" • Americans currently spend 113 days of every year working to pay their federal, state, and local taxes – almost twice the number of days they work to pay for housing and more than three times the number of days they work to pay for food.

• Beginning in 2010, millions of lower- and middle-income Americans and small businesses will face significant tax hikes.

• This week, Alexander will introduce legislation to establish an optional flat tax for individuals and businesses. The tax would be 19 percent for the first two years and 17 percent thereafter. "

There has been a long standing question as to whether a flat tax would be a relief on the public or a further burden. The reason a Flat Tax has not been embraced is due to the overwhelming burden it places on lower income people. 17% of $26,000 is a $4,420 tax burden. Leaving the tax payer with less that $22,000 a year in expendable income.
meanwhile a person who profits $1 million a year pays $170,000 in taxes. Leaving the taxpayer with $830,000 a year in expendable income.

You see Mr. Alexander the math just doesn't add up. All that a flat tax would do is decrease the tax burden on the ultra rich, and place it on those who are working a nine to five job. I'm going to give you more credit than my opponents, and hope that this isn't just a "political move".

I hope your actions were driven by a desire to help the poor. Because the other option, to believe you would be willing to pass off this tax-break to the ultra rich as a tax break to all tax payers, is too disturbing.

While you focus on changing the tax system as a whole, let me remind you that the system has worked fairly well until recent years. Instead of a total change, how about a restructuring of the tax bracket; In favor of lower-income tax payers? The rich don't need another tax break, the poor do.

Kenneth Eaton