My father, Clayton Trotter, is running for congress in San Antonio, T.X.
He has won the Republican Nomination against incumbent Democrat Gonzalez. He has the support of the local Tea Party.
My father is a true conservative both socially and fiscally. A federalist in the tradition of Ron Paul. My personal opinions often go against my father. Like the majority of Americans I tend to be financially conservative but socially liberal.
I doubt the rest of my immediate or extended family will be following my lead. They do not support my fathers complete conservative bent. They seemed shocked to learn that I would be supporting my father. I am also very close to many liberal friends who also might be baffled by my decision. How could I support my father when we diverge on so many issues?
The answer is simple. My father, whatever is political stance, is far more qualified to represent San Antonio and Texas in the United States Congress. It is not because he is a legal scholar of the first rank, though he is, and it not because of his conservative politics (which I can assure you are sincere.)
I am supporting him because he knows the price of war. My brother John Trotter, (Byron to his family) was killed in Iraq during Fallujah II while fighting in nearby Ramadi.
Losing him broke my heart. It broke my fathers heart. It devastated my family.
I will support my fathers campaign to run for congress because his broken heart qualifies him to decide whether the United States should go to war. His broken heart qualifies him to monitor and approve defense spending. My father is qualified to prevent a defense spending program that allowed defense contractors to make billions, even as national guardsman were self armoring vehicles in Iraq. I believe that he will read those bills a little more carefully, that he will pay closer attention when generals and admirals testify, and he will work harder than the thousands of congressmen who have no concept of the real consequences of even their smallest decisions. I know that he will do this in peacetime as well as during war, so that our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen have what they need before they are sent to fight for us. I know that he will not tolerate the Washington bullshit that puts our service members at risk. I know that he will not put politics, even Republican politics, before the military. I know that he would happily give up his political career to save the life of even one soldier; someone-else’s Byron.
Our minor political differences pale in comparison to this single issue.
My father did not know it, but he prompted me to write this post by leaving the following message on my google voice account. He decided to visit my brothers grave at Arlington national cemetery today (the anniversary of 9/11) on his visit to Washington. While he was there he left this message for me. I am publishing this without his permission, because I want to give you insight into the man he truly is. I want you to see him as I see him, formidable, but also deeply vulnerable. His own words are the deepest endorsement I can make for him. I hope he does not mind too much.
Clayton Trotter 9-11 Call to Fred Trotter
Like all politicians, he needs contributions to win, please consider helping him.
Thanks,
-FT
I have followed your blog for months because I’ve found you to have some of the most insightful, clearly articulated, and informative commentary on the general topic of information technology in healthcare that I’ve encountered anywhere. Aspects of your perspective, particularly with respect to OSS, have directly influenced the business model for our small startup that we launched early last year, here in New England.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed all (well, most) of your posts, none were as moving as this one. Moving me, literally, to contribute, in a small way, to your father’s campaign.
Echoing the sentiments that he expressed in his voicemail to you … God Bless your father, your brother, your family, and you. And I hope that your Dad wins by a landslide!!