Unconventional Wisdom

Oh no! He just had to get in on this presidential election. He was rejected by the Constitution Party but he found someone who would have him.

Alan Keyes is once again challenging Barack Obama for political office.

Mr. Keyes, who has repeatedly failed in his efforts to be elected as president and U.S. senator, has been nominated as the presidential candidate for the America’s Independent Party.

His nomination was announced Wednesday at the party’s first national convention.

Based in Fenton, Mich., America’s Independent Party describes itself as composed of pro-life, pro-family conservatives “who believe that the Republican party, with the pending nomination of John McCain, has abandoned the principles of Ronald Reagan.”

Tom Hoefling, chairman of America’s Independent Party, said his organization will file for Mr. Keyes to be a write-in candidate on the Illinois ballot.

He really wants that rematch only to get himself trounced as per usual. Not that I’m a huge Obama supporter but if there was a race between Obama and Keyes, I’d choose Obama. Keyes will never ever be my choice!

I forgot to mention Keyes was the Republican nominee back in 2004 for US Senate against Obama. That was after Jack Ryan was unceremoniously booted from his spot as the Republican candidate for US Senate to replace retiring Senator Peter Fitzgerald. It could have been a real race but the farce that gave Illinois Republicans Alan Keyes had to be embarrasing!

I did a little round-up this afternoon looking for as much information as I could. Especially whether or not she died or she lived. Unfortunately she’s passed away at 58. More from The Hill.

Blip.tv’s blog has a story about Conley an independent journalist who was detained by Chinese authorities after he was caught documenting pro-Tibet protests.

Actually the focus is as much on Massachusetts but other states around the nation are seeking tax revolts. From the Wall Street Journal via Instapundit. Instapundit will have a podcast with a lady involved in the tax revolt in Massachusettes. Can’t wait to hear that!

And to think they used to call it “Taxachusetts.”

On Election Day, Massachusetts will vote on whether to eliminate its state income tax. Advocates hope victory in a place long thought of as a free-spending liberal bastion will pave the way for similar initiatives in other states over the next few years. Critics insist a yes vote would lead to fiscal disaster.

While Americans are focusing on the presidential and congressional races, voters in Massachusetts and other states will decide the fate of dozens of state and local tax and spending issues.

It’s still unclear precisely how many of these issues will be on ballots on Nov. 4. Some still haven’t received final approval from state officials or may face challenges in court. But Kristina Rasmussen, director of government affairs at the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit group based in Alexandria, Va., estimates there are more than 60 ballot measures that would have “some significant impact” on taxpayers.

Oregon voters, for example, will decide whether to allow taxpayers to deduct an unlimited amount of their federal income taxes on their state returns. Nevada is expected to vote on a constitutional amendment that would restrict property-tax increases. North Dakota voters may vote on whether to chop the state’s personal income tax in half. And Minnesota will vote on a proposed amendment to its state constitution to raise the state sales tax by three-eighths of a percentage point, with the money going to protect the environment and to benefit the arts.

These and other battles come at a time when many states are struggling to cope with tough economic times. As the national economy’s growth rate has slowed to a crawl, growth in state tax collections generally has withered, intensifying budget strains. “Many states have reduced their revenue forecasts, some many times,” said a recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Denver-based group. “In a number of states, collections are even below the lowered expectations.”

Courtesy of PubDef.net.

From Pajama’s Media, a story about how the FEC attempts to regulate the political speech of citizens. It doesn’t matter if you either hang a sign as a form of grassroots politics in support of one or another presidential candidate or you have to register how much it cost to put out an ad or place a sign in your yard. Especially if it cost more than $250. There needs to be an overhaul.

Via Instapundit!