I've always enjoyed books dealing with the life and culture of Native Americans. Many tribes have stories used to illustrate their view of white man politics. In one such story, the dog people decided that they too should select a president of their own. It was obvious to them that a white man was going to be on top and they wished to mimic humans. Now dogs, being dogs, can cut to the chase when it comes to mimicking human behavior. They saw they could avoid much of the human circus if they decided that the one among them that smelled best, in that place under the tail, would be their president. Unfortunately, this process is about as conclusive as a hanging chad, and to this day, when two dogs meet we can observe their political process at work. Fortunately, we as humans don't have to go to such lengths to smell the "odor du jour" in today's politics.

It may have made sense eight years ago to many Americans that electing a couple of Texas oil men would be good for the country. Even at that time there was much to be concerned about the global oil situation. However, dependence on oil has evolved into two global fiascoes that are bleeding us economically and literally.

I don't mean to infer that all involved in oil production are somehow involved in a conspiracy to loot the American people. Most oil producers are no more responsible for the high price of oil than I am for the high price of wheat. But the man in the White House is responsible for misleading the American people using "Karl-Rovian" politics to create a crisis climate. Some local oil producers have taken their own "Karl-Rovian" approach in fighting wind energy. The three oilmen running for County Commission would not win a popularity contest among their peers in the local oil patch, yet they think they are electable.

Consider some of the prospective candidates for county commission. We have oilman Jason Dinges, oilman John Schmeidler, and oilman Glenn Diehl. We already know what kind of commissioner John S. would be. He and oilman commissioner Perry Henman have a master-dog relationship.

John has used Perry in creating a crisis atmosphere in Ellis County concerning a number of issues using lies and accusations, which have hurt and frightened many people. Jason Dinges, like Perry, would be nothing more than another toady for John's wacko agenda. Jason and his lying supporter Jerry Green have demonstrated that they would rather rely on unsubstantiated rumors concerning the issues than doing a little truthful research in the public record. Glenn D. is just another oilman. Given that oilmen have mismanaged this country at large, can we trust them to run our county? Over and over we hear the word "conspiracy" from these oilmen and the ones they mislead. Ellis County has already been dealing with one Commissioner Schmeidler in the guise of Perry Henman. How would it be to have two John Schmeidlers in commission seats or maybe even three? Creating a false crisis and spreading lies could be indicative of the new sleazy moral standard that has now permeated politics from the White House down to local levels. This reminds me of the old "Dukes of Hazzard" TV show. Every week, a stubby little man in a white suit would try to take over the county. Could this be happening here? We don't need some "Boss Hog" pulling strings in Ellis County government.

People often express the feeling that their vote doesn't count. This year in Ellis County, it will matter a lot. I want to encourage all voters to consider this upcoming primary very important. This one is not about being a Republican or a Democrat; it's about progressiveness versus non-progressiveness. Please support Vernon Berens and Dennis Pfannenstiel, along with other incumbents who have already given years of honest service to our county.

Dana Kraus

1049 Yocemento