INDIANOLA, IA - The website JasonCross.com shocked the nation today with its announcement that it would be officially endorsing Democratic hopeful Howard Dean in his bid for the office of President of the United States.  Said JasonCross.com chairman Jason Cross, "America can no longer continue down this path to self-destruction it has been put upon by President Cheney - I mean President Rove - oops, I mean President Bush.  Junior.  I believe that Howard Dean represents the hope for America's future."

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Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause for those who fear the path this country is on, and his name is Howard Dean.  Gov. Dean stopped by Indianola today so Misty, Keith and I went down to the Legion Hall to see him speak.  I had been leaning towards Dean for a while, but today's visit really cemented it for me.  Some specifics:

• When some old man started railing on how illegal immigrants are the worst problem facing America and were destroying our country, Dean didn't back peddle to appease him but instead said, "Let me tell you why I disagree with you" followed by a great point on how America has been built on sensible immigration and how most of those who come to America do so for a better future, not because they are criminals looking to stir up trouble.  He then tied this in to his foreign trade plan which boils down to...
  
• He believes that countries allowed easy imports to America should have to abide by the same labor standards that we do.  No longer will manufacturers be able to take advantage of the low cost of labor overseas refinforced by poor and inhumane working conditions.  Yes, it will raise the cost of some of your favorite items at Wal-Mart, but it will also take away a primary reason that companies move labor jobs from America to elsewhere.
  
• While he strongly disagrees with the war in Iraq, he realizes that at this point we would be even worse off immediately pulling all forces as it would leave the country open for an easy takeover by militants.  Instead he'd like to see our troops brought back home and a transition to a multi-national nationbuilding force tied into our efforts at restoring relations with our allies as well.  He also believes we should encourage the use of muslim and arabic troops in Iraq while we are there to better co-exist with the culture.
  
• On the ads being run pointing out that Dean was endorsed as Governor by the NRA:  Vermont had only five homicides one year while he was governor - it's simply such a rural state that violent crime is a non-issue compared to a New York, Chicago or the like.  As such, Vermont enforces national gun control laws but has none on a state level.  Thus the NRA endorsement.  Governor Dean believes that national gun control policies like mandatory background checks even at gun shows and being able to hold those who illegally sell a gun used in crimes accountable should be made and tightened, while allowing states to do further control based on their needs.
  
• He believes that we, as the wealthiest nation in the world, have no legitimate reason to not be able to buckle down and provide universal health insurance.  While there are costs associated with doing so, he points out that the cost of providing healthcare to the uninsured is passed on to the public today anyway through medical expenses, taxes and insurance premiums.
  
• He is socially liberal while fiscally conservative, a combination we need right now.

Dean today is a Democrat's Democrat - I hope he doesn't go too far to the center should he get the nomination.  And to Republicans who are sick and tired to what Bush and his gang are doing to America, I encourage you to look at him as well.  Many Repubs I know claim to be so due to fiscal reasons - well here's your chance to prove it, because who is more conservative - someone spending billions on the war in Iraq while letting his corporate buddies get away with trillions in financial inproprieties (see Kenneth Lay) and gaining billions in no-bid public contracts (see Halliburton - whom VP Cheney still receives money from annually in violation of national ethics statutes), or someone dedicated to bringing in others to help with the Iraq rebuild (other countries, not other companies), repealing Bush's unwise tax cut (a $300 per year loss to us 60% in the middle class in exchange for being able to actually afford to provide government infrastructure), and balancing our budget (which no Republic president has done in 34 years).