Sorry, Charlie, I ain't buying what you're selling!

A lot of people were saying that to Charlie Stuart back in the 1980's when he was busy running his family business into bankruptcy.

Nowadays, a lot of people are saying it about his political rhetoric as he runs a laughable campaign to unseat U.S. Congressman Ric Keller.

Fortunately (or, unfortunately, depending on your political preferences), Sorry Charlie has torn the worst page out of the Democratic playbook this year. You've heard the drivel about how the sky is falling, everything is George W. Bush's fault, etc., etc., but don't offer any specifics about how Democrats would do things differently because that would scare the hell out of the average voter. What tripe!

So, instead of specifics, Sorry Charlie is trying to rely on his family name. And, it's a pretty good one in these parts. At least it used to be. In fact, I can make a case that yours truly would not be here today if it weren't for their old office supply business. That's where my mom got her first job, working the switchboard alongside a fellow named George Rollins. Within a short span of time, they went on a blind double date to the old Frisch's Big Boy on Colonial. And, that's how Mom met Dad.

But, I digress.

The main reason you should vote against Sorry Charlie is his one detailed policy statement. In an effort to encourage development of alternative energy sources, he wants to slap a $1 per barrel tax on oil plus a 1-cent per gallon tax on gasoline.

Now, that sort of thing comes straight out of an even older Democratic playbook.

And, it's more of an indicator of what kind of Congressman old Sorry Charlie would be than his surname could ever imply.

Vote for Ric Keller in November if you live in the 8th district. Even with all his warts and blemishes, he's the better choice.

Ok, off the soapbox.