Tuesday, November 2nd is shaping up to be an historic midterm election with a dramatic shift in power from the Democratic party to the Republican party (as I predicted in 2008). Also, the rhetoric from the Republican party has shifted in line with the sentiments of the ground swelling grassroots Tea Party movement.

The year 2008 was important for me because it was when my state representative, Justin Amash, was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. I had met him before the primaries in February and was immediately blown away with his firm command of the Constitution, Austrian Economics, and limited government. I learned of him through my activity with the Ron Paul for president campaign as he was a donor to Rep. Paul's campaign and I realized that he was also running for my state house district. The meeting and the years since are an excellent example of serendipity.

Once assuming office, Amash quickly took an unusual and unprecedented approach to his job as a state legislator. His first press release showed his commitment to the principles of protecting private property by opposing a smoking ban even in the face of his personal disgust with cigarette smoke. I too am bothered by second hand smoke but understand the implications of allowing the government the unprecedented powers of banning things from occurring on private property.

Amash took his job as a state representative very seriously reviewing each bill that was on the agenda for either his committees or the house floor. He is probably the only (or one of a few) who actually read all the bills the night before they were expected to vote. This allowed him to quickly become the 'go-to' guy within the state house for other legislators to find out what was on the agenda for the next day. It also allowed him to explain all of his votes which allowed him to do the next unorthodox thing...

... using facebook to post every one of his votes with an explanation of the bill and why he did or didn't support it. A very common situation in the state house (and probably most legislatures) is to substitute or submit bills at the last minute (read Obamacare) and call for a vote. What has been so fantastic with the use of social media is that there are more people now in Michigan who know what's going on in the state house than at any time before because of Justin's posts. Of that I am certain. Amash began posting mainly because he thought a few of his constituents might be interested and that level of transparency has blossomed into a campaign issue for many politicians in Michigan.

Amash as a freshman legislator was voted the most effective legislator after his first year because he has a command of the bills before the chamber, more of his amendments are gaveled through than any other Republican legislator (Democrats outnumber Republicans 66-43), and he works well with members of both parties on trying to change their bills while holding to his base principles. He was never afraid to vote alone either as he cast the single no vote an 60+ occasions. He also didn't rest on just voting no and looked to pull others within his caucus and the Democratic caucus on issues which he succeeded and has been chronicled about here before.

Finally, Justin Amash has been able to hold firm to his principles of limited government, individual liberty, and sound economics because the grassroots has come out in swarms to hold him up as what they want in West Michigan. Here he was at the first Tea Party in 2009 before any other legislators were willing to show up. His message of libertarian or free market politics is peaking at just the right time for him and our country.

Without a doubt, Justin Amash, is not only the best choice for west Michigan's 3rd congressional district, but he has the potential to take the liberty movement to a whole new level on the national scene. He has already changed the dialogue within the Michigan GOP (now they are calling for an end to 'targeted tax cuts' which was not on the radar in 2008). Please join Red State Eclectic and me in supporting Justin Amash for Congress on Tuesday, November 2nd. [You can participate in his money bomb here for Friday and the weekend]



Justin Amash seen shaking hands with retiring Congressman Vern Ehlers. Mastermind Dr. Eric Larson stands quietly in the background with his arms crossed surveying the scene with his daughter Kathryn (aka Tiger Lily).