VP Dick Cheney hosted a reception honoring Ken Calvert last month in Southern California to show his support for Calvert and his approval for Cheney's favored energy policies, which include off-shore drilling and the MORE proposal.

A large group of San Clemente residents were up-in-arms at Cheney's presence and protested Calvert's policies with a peaceful march. Many of the residents see Calvert's desire for drilling as puppetry for Cheney and the Republican party.

Not too many people personally know the toll that the Iraq War has had, not only on our country and finances, but on our families. As the father of two sons in the Army and the father-in-law of a daughter also in the Army, Bill Hedrick has gone through at least 5 deployments of his children.

Washington needs fresh blood, those who are not corrupted by the ways of the special interest groups. He is running against one the MOST CORRUPT people in the house. Should it even be a question who should be the winner of this election?? Regardless of party affiliation, can you justify a vote for someone who is so corrupted? Bill Hedrick wants to do what is best for the 44th District. He will be a strong advocate for his people.

Hedrick has the right approach to education, to the environment, and to the economy. As the son of a teacher, I can appreciate his background as and educator in the California school system- which is as Byzantine a hornet's nest as you'll ever find. If he can handle that, he can handle the House of Representatives. His approach to energy- finding alternative sources that are green- will create new jobs right here. As for his opponent, this is a relic of the old school of thinking that got our economy where it is today- and on top of that, he's a bit of a hypocrite. (see link below for amusing story)

With globalization moving the international environment closer at a rapid pace, candidates for Congress cannot rely solely on their domestic political stances to win their elections.

Bill Hedrick (D) would serve California's 44th District positively, as well as United States' foreign involvements.

He takes a critical stance on the No Child Left Behind Act (http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml), which has been able to accomplish little in ensuring the US is committed to educating its youth.

Hedrick will augment health care in his district, as well as nationally by championing coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as portable health insurance (http://www.ncpa.org/pub/special/20060130-sp.html).

Hedrick's Congressional candidate's website (http://hedrickforcongress.com/index.html) sites that the Bush Administration's War on Iraq has cost Riverside County $2.7 billion! With which, "Riverside County could have provided 1,122,393 people with health care for one year, 4,858,815 homes with renewable electricity for one year, or 409,827 scholarships for university students for one year." It has cost the American people "more than $512 billion, or $341.1 million per day. That's $4,681 per household."

Hedrick goes beyond these domestic costs to list the perils bestowed upon Iraq and its citizens, as well as the damage to the reputation of the United States in the political arena.

It is this kind of combined thought, both domestic and international, that makes Hedrick a good (and necessary) choice for the House of Representatives.

Don't ruin our coasts!