Living in Alabama we find ourselves in a runoff election that the whole country is watching.  We have Luther Strange whom, President Trump and Mitch McConnell have endorsed against Judge Roy Moore who has been kicked out of office twice in the past.  Why the President endorsed this candidate opens questions.  What kind of backroom deal has been hammered out to gain this support?  Will we ever know? 

Luther Strange is the incumbent Senator from the great state of Alabama.  Mr. Strange was the Attorney General for Alabama watching a possible impeachment of the sitting Governor, Mr. Robert Bentley, unfold.  Before the impeachment was consummated the Governor appointed Mr. Strange to the seat recently vacated by the appointment of Senator Jeff Sessions to the position of United states Attorney General.  The Governor, to avoid impeachment, resigned from office shortly after this appointment. 

Mr. Moore in the 1990s, while serving as a county judge, hung a wooden Ten Commandments on the wall of his courtroom.  This act created much controversy and also garnered much support while making his name well known in the state.  In 2000 he was elected as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and shortly thereafter he was creating more controversy.  He refused to remove granite, 5,280 pound, Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the state judicial building, and was subsequently ousted. 

In 2012 Mr. Moore was reelected as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.  Again, with controversy, in 2016 he stood on his beliefs and instructed the Probate Judges to not issue marriage certificates to gay couples, after the United States Supreme Court had ruled otherwise.  His decision was based on his interpretation of states’ rights and the Alabama state Constitution. 

Mr. Strange, after his appointment, wasted no time in becoming pals with the swamp establishment.  He has done nothing to gain recognition in this position but has been endorsed by other career establishment politicians.   He has run a high dollar campaign with nothing but negative ads on his opponent. 

Mr. Moore has proven, repeatedly, he is a man that stands on his morals.  He is a West Point graduate and served in Viet Nam.  He is a strict constitutionalist and can recite most parts of the Constitution.  He is an outsider and will work to do what is best for America. 

Mr. Moore may be a member of the new wave of political outsiders that are going to Washington and slowly gaining the attention of the swamp dwellers.  The outcome of this election may have influence on the various elections next year.  There are more Democrats than Republicans facing elections next year.  Congress, watch this election closely, there could be things learned.  You will get the message we are tired of the swamp party you have been holding. 

The American people want action from our Congress and if we have to replace every one of the incumbents, it can be done.  We may have new faces from across the country in Congress.  If we do, how long will it take the fake news sources to start on them?  We can get the media to change but we all have to be on board and united.  Stop watching national network news as well as the cable (so called) news channels.

The thoughts and ideas expressed above are exclusively those of Jack Straley.  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.