If you live in the US, you have undoubtedly heard about about the new health care bill the president is going to sign into law tomorrow. I don’t know which disappoints me more, that the president thinks he can single handedly create and pass laws by himself using his stellar creative speaking/story bending skills or that the House and Senate probably would not have voted for this if they actually read it.

Nevertheless, for the first time in my life, I wrote an email to my congressman, Gerry Connolly. When he was the Chairman of the County Board Of Directors, I thought he did a great job which is why I voted for him, even though I don’t normally vote democratic. This vote ticked me off so bad I wrote a letter today and I am sharing it here as well. I doubt it will get read, but it does feel good to get it off my chest..

Mr. Connolly,
I have never written to you, or another Congressman before, but today I feel the need to write you because I can’t rest about this until I feel I’m heard. (I’m going to add this to my blog as well)

When you were running for Congress this term, that marked the first time in my voting career that I voted for a Democratic candidate. I’m not a staunch Republican, but my feelings lean more in that direction and there wasn’t a Democratic candidate that I felt good about voting for until you ran.

While I don’t live in the district you represented in Fairfax County, I was impressed with what did did as Chairman of the Board Of Supervisors, and especially what you did to help make the South County Middle School a reality in just a couple of years.

While I was not necessarily a fan of your platform, like I said I was impressed with your record of service within the County and some of the things you did to improve the quality life in our area.

That was until the vote on the health care bill. While I do agree that something needs to be done about health care as it is out of control and costs are totally out of control. As out of pocket costs rise every year, and people get dropped, or not picked up do to pre existing conditions. From what I have read online, this bill does absolutely nothing to correct that, and some of the things it is going to make mandatory tells me THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE BILL.

I also feel it is terrible on many levels including being forced to participate and government funded abortions. Even though the President created an executive order, that can not supercede a law. It is unconstitutional and is proof that we are moving more toward a socialist government than ever before. Its bad news. There are going to be multiple lawsuits and states are already talking about taking legal action as well. Its awful because this is going to divide our nation and I feel that is so very dangerous at a time when enemies want to destroy us.

“a house divided against itself cannot stand,” Abraham Lincoln

I also believe that the government is going in the wrong direction. In just the last 5 years the government has bailed out and has a viable stake in the insurance, banking, (auto) manufacturing, and now health care industries. Those are among the United States top financial industries and I think it is wrong for the government to have that much control over peoples lives. What’s next, Freedom of the press?

I am also so very disappointed in the massive amounts of debt this administration has voted for. Granted, the debt your term inherited was huge and was built over many years of Democrats and Republican administrations and congresses. Its a tragedy that we are burying our children and grand children with this debt. Its embarassing.

Thanks for the opportunity to send this to you, although I doubt that you will ever read it. Just know that I feel disappointed and let down and you will most likely not be getting my vote this fall.

Charley Hays

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This Weeks Topic: 4 Drummers You Should Know

In most bands, the drummer is either the wildman, (Tommy Lee) or the cool guy (Neil Peart).  Once upon a time I  played the drums, umm, I attempted to play the drums.  I wasn’t very good, but I did manage to play in a band for a short period of time and played 2 gigs.  The band broke up after that and the drummer became a drum roadie / light guy / electrician /manager.  I have always loved the drums and in this weeks Mt. Rushmore I want to share with you some of the drummers I really like along with a youtube video of them doing their thing.  This is by no means my favorite drummers, as there are quite a few of them that don’t have solo’s of them on youtube.  Besides, it would be nearly impossible for me to narrow it down to 4.  This is just a list of 4 of the drummers you should know in no particular order.

1. Seth Hostetter – Children 18:3

I have only seen him play live once at a GMA showcase, and not only does this band rock and put on a great show, but Seth puts on a show all by himself.  He keeps great time and does all of the visual razzle dazzle that kept my attention the whole time.  He definitely is a visual timekeeper.

2. Shawn Benson – Theocracy

Theocracy is a band that is hard to put a label on, except to say that they rock, and rock hard, and rock well.  Their Mirror Of Souls cd is just a musical masterpiece and Shawn Benson’s drumming skills shine throughout the record.  The pieces tend to be a little long so I didn’t want to put up a long video (Although I encourage looking at them), so to give you a taste of Shawn’s mad drumming skills, here is a solo from Theocracy’s 2009 European tour.

3. Andy Campbell – Down From Up

I’m not quite sure how I first found out about this band, but I am sure happy I did.  Andy is a regional winner in Guitar center’s national drum off, and on Down From Up’s first record, it’s easy to see why he got so far in the contest.  His drumming is outstanding, and this song showcases his skills.

4. Nate Morton – ROCKSTAR, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Cher

A couple of years ago, CBS had a show called Rockstar that aired during the summer.  The premise of the show was a 8 (or 10, I don’t remember) week audition to be the singer of INXS.  The second season was to be the singer of Supernova, a band featuring Tommy Lee from Motley Crue and some other famous guys.  For the most part, the show was aweful,  but the house band the singers played with was pretty good, except for the drummer.  Nate Morton was the drummer for that band and he was incredible.  In fact, I really only watched the show to watch Nate groove.   He has done some pretty impressive gigs and has his own series of videos about drumming.  He’s incredible, check this out…

That is my Mt. Rushmore.  There are some others that I would love to add, but there’s only room for 4.  Who is your Mt. Rushmore for drummers?  Leave a comment and let me know.

P.S.  If you like the movie Drumline, check this out!

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