(I think by virtue of the fact that you are stepping up and running for office you get to come to the front page. –BG – promoted by –Blue Girl)
I have been debating for the last several months whether or not I wanted to start a blog or diary on this site. I recieved an email a few days ago inviting candidates to join the blog so since I was invited I will post a diary or a blog every once in a while.
But first I have a couple of rules
-I am not the best writer so if something is spelled wrong or is not grammatically correct. Im sorry just look past it.
-I am not perfect. Although we sometimes expect our candidates to be. So if I say or do something you disagree with im apologizing for it now.
Now since this is my first post I guess I should start off by introducing myself.
More below the flip. -Clark
I am Anthony Arton, but please just call me Art. I was in born in Kansas City, Mo and spent the first ten years of my life there. I went to Hartman elementary in the Waldo area and then Calvary Lutheran for a year until my parents divorced. I was dragged to Warrensburg with my mother and began school there. As a result of my mother somehow contracting the hepatitis c virus my mother was unable to work throughout most of her 30’s. I was a product of free school lunches and the Missouri welfare system. I probably would not be here if not for those programs. During my senior year of high school the doctors informed my mother that the hepatitis c virus had come out of remission. She spent the next few months drinking her life away and finally took her life in April of 2002.
I wasnt the best high school student. I dont know if it was because of the problems at home, or my attention was more on sports and girls but because of my low grades I was initially denied admission to CMSU. I decided to join the volunteer fire department and enrolled in an EMT course out in Higginsville. After taking the class I became an EMT in Sweet Springs. I earned my firefighter 1 and 2 license as well that year.
This was also the year I started becoming very interested in politics. A good friend of mine David Pearce “who even used to come and watch me play tennis-but I think you guys know him as the automotive deer hunting advocate??” was running for State Representative and I saw this an oppurtunity to get involved. I began going to Republican meetings and helping out David in any way that I could. David became Rep. Pearce that year and I finally got accepted to CMSU.
So I was given a fresh start and started off college with much better grades than in high school. As a result of my academic success an oppurtunity arose to intern with Rep. Pearce in the spring of 2004. Rep. Pearce got me even more involved in politics. With his help I attended the Leadership Institute (brain washing facility) the Republican National Convention, (I was just a guest) and the Republican Central Committee in Johnson County,, oh and I also became the President of the College Republicans. (hate me yet? just wait) and then in fall of 2005 I was appointed to be on the Board of Governors at CMSU by Governor Blunt. (Ok now you can hate me)
But,,
As time went on I started becoming more and more concerned with the Republican Party both at the state and national level. Being a board member really opened my eyes as to how the Republican Party views education. The cuts to Medicare/Medicaid really ticked me off because that was me six years ago and I also started becoming more and more concerned about the environment and global warming. Last summer I finally had enough and handed over my RNC tie and cufflings to Rep. Pearce.
A few weeks later I decided to run for State Rep. “Rep. Pearce is running for the Senate”
So here I am.
And I’m glad you’re posting here! Please do keep us updated, and don’t be above the occasional plea for help. As a candidate, you’ll have to get used to it.
By the way, your writing is just fine, although before I opened up your diary, your title “Diary #1” by “Art” made me think it was some sort of postmodern minimalist commentary on blogging.
At least they do if he’s converting to what they believe in.
I see you’ve got a couple of primary opponents, and I hope you’ll tell us, in future diaries, why you’re the one Dems should vote for.
And great first effort. Thanks for introducing yourself and giving us your background. Good luck and keep us informed as the race proceeds.
Nice piece of writing!
Great post, Art. I’m glad to find you here.
Peggy