Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting James Watkins, a candidate for Washington State Auditor. Our introduction and subsequent conversation happened during a small gathering to celebrate the birthday of a mutual friend.
Had we met during a public event, our initial discussion would most certainly have been different. For the fact we met at the home of a mutual friend, I am very, very grateful. Grateful because I met James as a friend and not as a candidate. It was later into the evening I learned he was running for Washington State Auditor. So again, meeting under the circumstance of friendship, and during a political event meant everything to the conversation and to my belief that James Watkins is indeed, a very, very special person.
The details and a little background…
As the nation moved into the “Obama” years, I felt the need to again study American history. The policy decisions coming from both state level and the federal administration felt wrong and I needed to have a clearer foundation of understanding with respect to our American heritage and our Constitutions, state and national. As a conservative, my belief is that the “change” Obama brought with his administration is not a good “change” for Americans and many of these Obama beliefs trickle down to our state levels as well. SO the situation has become quite the opposite with respect to any “good” change. To me, Obama is more about his very odd belief that America is nothing more than “a” country among many. Like any other European, African or Mid-Eastern nation – and to him, America is nothing “special.” Obama’s apologies and comments about America’s arrogance and over-reaching policies is disgusting, untrue, anti-American and pushing the line of treason. I cannot imagine a President of the United States of America could say the things he does. And we know only of the “open” comments he makes – so what about the more “private” commitments he makes to foreign nations?
This country called America is special place. Americans have clearly demonstrated this point time and time again. They are a generous and special people and our role in the world is indeed, unique. American exceptionalism does exist and it holds a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of people that come here from all over the planet. America “is”, a nation built from all peoples of earth and it remains like none before. And we need to protect this nation from those that harbor ill will toward America and from those in power that seek fundamental change.
So how would this interest in history tie into a casual meeting with James Watkins?
Because I saw in the eyes of James Watkins something I have not seen but few times in my life from a man in politics. I saw an honest, sincere, intelligent man that was willing to put things “on the line” that would have a direct, and not always positive, pressure on his family, his financial future, and the time he has to live and enjoy his private life. Talking with James I could not help but think of a few words that are very special to me and to millions of others. The often quoted lines, “…we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Those words carried a stiff penalty at the time they were spoken and to be honest, they still put some at risk in a number of ways.
The time I spent with James was over the course of a single evening. I had the good fortune to join in conversation with a few other friends which took the discussion into any number of issues as we talked into the evening. But during this limited time – I can say with complete honesty and candor, I met a man that deserves respect and that should have every opportunity to engage our residents about the issues we face in the state of Washington. My impression is we all stand to benefit from his service and the fact he believes in that model – state office-holders are in office to serve the people living in this state. Not the other way around like the current administration.
James Watkins has a quality of character, an inherent honesty in speech, clearness of thought, experience, intellect and what appeared to me as a foundational desire to work toward restoring our state, and our nation to the shining Republic of birth, as put forth so many years ago.
America is a nation conceived by a unique group of individuals that came together in the right place, at the right time and under the right circumstances. Consider the notion – a nation of individuals, capable of self-governance. People living with liberty to pursue their dreams, to innovate, work hard and build better lives for self and family in any way they see fit. To work as free spirits and community, using intellect or their hands to follow opportunity from which to create rich and rewarding lives. To build a nation where this lifestyle is possible, a limited small government was created to defend the nation and promote commerce within a narrow and well defined boundary.
What happened to that America? A lot of things happened – the most recent being a movement from people with progressive ideology, social, not personal interests, and a desire to control a population under the inane and insane belief they know better than the common man. This problem impacts us at the state level, our educational system and right into the hearts of our communities.
Well it’s time to consider 1776. Consider the works, thoughts, ideals and philosophy of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin and so many others from which our states, and our nation was born. And returning to the point of this writing – James Watkins.
So, is James Watkins capable of walking in the shoes of our founders? That, certainly, is an open question that may be answered many years from now. What is clear, however, is that the man I met had a deepness in his eyes, an honest voice, and a sincerety that to me, put him squarely on the path to walking in that direction. Had this been an evening in the years leading up to 1776, James would surely have been one of the people chosen to represent his community, or his state – and he clearly would have been a significant contributor to the framework from which these states, and the nation was born. And for this reason, I urge each and every person, to spend enough time to know this man. To hear his thoughts and to help in whatever manner possible, to help him win office.
If you would like to know more – here’s his website:
http://watkinsforauditor.netboots.net/
