I’ve heard it all:

Ron Paul isn’t a great speaker.

Ron Paul is too old to be President.

Ron Paul doesn’t look like a President.

Ron Paul’s ideas are too idealistic. (Personally, I love how idealism is somehow supposed to be viewed as negative.)

Ron Paul won’t be able to work with a polarized congress.

Ron Paul is a crazy person.

There’s really not much you can tell me about the guy that I haven’t heard before.

But here’s what people don’t understand: I don’t support Ron Paul because of his oratory skills, his age, his religion, his sense of humor, or even his amazing eyebrows.  I vote for Ron Paul because of what he represents.

Ron Paul knows he’s not going to win the Republican nomination (especially after tonight’s crushing defeat in Florida). I know that ideally (there’s that ‘ideal’ word again) he’s in it to win it… but even if he doesn’t win, the opportunity to stand and educate the nation on the message of liberty, and following the constitution makes it worthwhile for him to stay in the race as long as possible.

While other candidates are busy perfecting their hair and their sound-bytes, or making excuses for their infidelity or their inconsistent voting records – while they’re  making false promises through fake smiles about bringing troops home and building colonies on the moon, Ron Paul stands alone in his oversized suit and educates our country in 30 second increments about how we got into the mess we’re in, the drastic measures we must take to fix things, and the perils that lay before us if we don’t.

My loyalty does not lie with Ron Paul. My loyalty lies with the principles that the Constitution was created to protect — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In a day where the government grows in size and controls more of my life, it’s imperative that we return to those principles.

Were Ron Paul’s stance to change from where they are today, so would my allegiance.

It’s important to remember as citizens, and as voters, that our votes do not support the guy (or girl) with the best hair, or the best speech, or the most money. Our votes support the ideas and ideals that these people uphold.

I pledge allegiance to the principles found within the Constitution… the document that required compromise, teamwork, courage, and sacrifice to complete. (Ironically, these are the very virtues so many of our public servants lack today.)

I do not pledge allegiance to a man. Because a people that pledged allegiance to a man  is exactly the type of country that the men who founded this amazing nation were escaping from.

What would happen if these same men ran the government the same way they ran their businesses?

Would we have trillions of dollars of debt? Or, would the budget be balanced?

Would we be investing our time, energy, and money in a bad investment (an endless war) that is weakening and dividing our nation, and draining our bank account, or would we cut our losses, and bring our troops home?

Would we be making enemies with our vendors (other countries) by setting up camp to monitor them in their respective offices without their permission?

Would the executive team be trying to find a compromise to tough problems, or simply trying to stop the progress of those with differing viewpoints?

At this point, after what they’ve done in office, would these men be employed? I know if I gave them a performance review, they wouldn’t.

A huge problem with how the country is being run is that nobody feels a sense of responsibility or accountability. We’re electing leaders to enter into the most powerful and sacred positions in our country, and then allowing them to do whatever they want with a limitless budget, no rules, and no goals.

Then, we, as the board of directors, are not doing anything about it when these people fail us.

We have the Constitution laid plainly before us as a guidepost. It has withstood the test of time, and yet few of us are willing to read it, let alone hold those making decisions for our country accountable to it.

The mess we are in is as much our fault as it is the fault of Congress or the President. Yes, they are standing in the way of progress, and making very poor, corrupt decisions. But, we’ve done nothing to stop it.

These leaders are accountable to us! They report to us!

I think sometimes they forget who gave them their office, and who pays their paycheck.

They think we’re not watching. And too often, they are right. If you ask me, it’s time for some performance reviews. It’s time to empty out some offices. It’s time to set some real goals. Measurable goals. Goals we can use to hold these people accountable.  Then, we need to hold these people responsible for reaching those goals.

Many people are wound up about the presidential election right now. Yeah, it’s a big deal… but let’s be honest with ourselves… until we can de-polarize our congress, and fill it with people that will play nice together; until we can find tolerance and acceptance for people with different viewpoints and beliefs than our own, we are going in one direction… and that direction is bankruptcy, collapse, and extinction.

The irony is that so many people are oblivious to it… most of all, the ones who can control it.

I’ve been puppy shopping, and I WANT ALL THE PUPPIES!

I’m amazed at how busy I’ve become in these first few weeks of the year. Finding balance in life is impossible, isn’t it? Every time I focus on improving something, I feel like it’s at the expense of something else. Getting out of a rut like that is just not an easy thing to do.

Maybe adding another responsibility, like a puppy, will help me do less. *eye roll*

On a more positive note, at least I’m pushing myself to grow and develop. 2012 is quickly turning into a good year. A year of new. A year of change. A year of opportunity. A year of smart decisions, and big things.

Well, it was never really here in the first place. So I guess the title of this post should read, “2012 Has Arrived, And So Have I… Again.”

It seems like I commit to this blog in spurts. I’ll write consistently for months on end only to abandon my dear blog (and my dear readers) for months on end (a year in this particular case).

I blame Tumblr for my absence.

I’ve found that although Tumbling can be a delight – even an addiction – it has also slain my desire to write with a great slaughter.

I miss writing.

I miss it like I miss a good night’s sleep on a business trip. (Yes. I go on business trips now.)

Here are some other goals I made for myself for the year of 2012. One goal not on the list that is of note is that I will probably own a dog this year… I realized my desire for one during lunch today when I visited a pet store with puppies. Adorable, lonely, playful puppies. Puppies with sad eyes.

I want one.

To help her along her way, Chad Waite and I have pledged $50 a piece ($100 total) to the charity of HER choice if she wins the video contest.

You can vote for her on Facebook by first liking the Miss America page here, then her video here.

You can also vote for her by liking the Youtube version of her video.

Don’t be heartless, do something for a fellow human. Ready, GO!

I keep thinking, I’m going to do something incredible with my life. My problem is that I haven’t decided what that something is. I haven’t set a time. I don’t have an objective. I talk the talk, but I don’t walk the walk.

I mean, I’m writing a book. It’s an ambitious endeavor… and I like writing. But my writing isn’t earth shattering or life changing.

It’s time for me to take what I know, and what I can do and make a difference instead of Tweeting about it. Any world changing suggestions? I’m all ears…

On a side note, I also have a tumblr blog. I gave up on Posterous.

I’m leaving you for a week… for this…

I love extraordinary people.

It’s funny, there are so many people out there competing for average. Some people are satisfied with being good. Others are happy to just get their name in the paper. Some strive to be the best in their nation, or wave the banner of their flag in front of the world. But few, a very select few, strive to be the best. Extraordinary.

It’s hard, yes. But what’s interesting is the incredibly small percentage of people who even consider extraordinary.  Aiming for extraordinary doesn’t even cross their minds.

The competition for mediocrity is fierce. All but a select few are competitors. Extraordinary, however, requires dedication and effort, but more often than not, the biggest competition is yourself.

Who are you competing against?

P.S. I’ve been writing up a storm lately. If you want to have a look at my dating advice blog or some good Utah restaurant reviews, just click the links. Thanks for your support everyone!

Mr. Grinch – Lower Barday

Silent Night – House of Heroes (Thanks Jenn)

Maybe This Christmas – Ron Sexsmith

All I Want For Christmas – Matt Costa

Winter Song – Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson (Thanks Stacy)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas – Daphne Loves Derby

Put the Lights On the Tree – Sufjan Stevens

Winter Wonderland – Phantom Planet

All That I Want – The Weepies

So This Is Christmas – Acceptance