The Peppel family is road tripping! We've been stuck in the house with piles of snow surrounding us and now we are skipping out of town – and even letting the girls get out of school for 2 days to do it. They are a little young but my husband was determined to have them participate.
AND, no . . . this is no ordinary jaunt. We are going to CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) this weekend in D.C. The funny thing is that I looked all over the site and only really found these quotes to describe the event which has boasted the likes of Rush Limbaugh and many more notable conservative pundits:
“CPAC has consistently over the years championed those ideas that have made America great: limited government, free enterprise, low taxes and a strong national defense.”
- Vice President Dick Cheney
“.. A showcase of the heart and soul of American conservatism”
- Los Angeles Times
“ CPAC is the preeminent yearly gathering of conservative activists.”
- The Washington Post
The Washington Post gets a thumbs up for the most succinct answer. I heard about the conference through two past attendees and talked my husband into going (whom I am delighted to say is totally on the same page – well, for the most part, with me politically. I tend to get a little artsy, crunchy on his conservative All-American ways but we do well to balance each other out.) We are both definitely for SMALL government and encouraging jobs in the business sector and telling the BIG government to BUTT out and keep their hands off our money where it can be helped!
HOWEVER, the jury is still out for me on tax credits and how they should be used to help businesses (i.e. the film business, and it is a growing business, here in Pennsylvania.) I just joined the first ever trade organization for the film industry – the PA Film Industry Association – and I have to say I am excited to participate but I do want to help change the mindset that more and more tax credits are the answer. I agree that the 150 billion our state has invested in film since 2006 shouldn't be wasted and that we need some tax credits to remain competitive with other states but I don't want to see it inflate out of control as so many government-run incentives do. It has to stand on its own viable legs at some point which is why I love the idea of a trade organization that promotes film and its production as a business where people work hard at what they do best and are rewarded in their efforts. I think the CPAC seminars on using modern media, film and TV for positive, wholesome values will definitely be worth attending.
Which brings me to another cool event happening this weekend: XPAC. Stephen Baldwin and Kevin McCullough are working to make conservatism cool for the next generation (which will totally make the event infinitely more fun and interesting for my daughters – or let's hope so b/c I am a little worried that they are a tad young for all this at 11 & 12 but my husband was determined)!
Here's the details from the CPAC website:
"And listen up to everyone "under 30" and those that are young at heart. For the first time ever at CPAC, please check out the ultimate in cool, a lounge created just for you: XPAC2010. Events running throughout the three days of CPAC, and everyone of them designed with you in mind, so register online, then stop by, say "hi" to Stephen Baldwin/Kevin McCullough, play some Wii, XBox, or Guitar Hero, catch exclusive events designed just for you, and both evenings don't miss the ultimate XPAC events, including "10 Questions with Stevie B, Megan McCain, and Sarah Huckabee" as well as "Millennial Impact Award" given in recognition for the most important accomplishment to a conservative under 30 (who didn't wait their turn in line to make a difference.) REGISTER today and hang all weekend, free food, films, games, and more its XPAC 2010. Brought to you by Stephen Baldwin/Kevin McCullough"
Hey, I'm excited. I signed up the whole family because I am totally for having a little fun in the middle of heated rhetoric and intense issue crunching. On top of it all, I've been accepted as a blogger and will have to do some seriously quick typing and writing as I go to get all the goodies in — so keep watching for new tweets (@GenMom) and uploaded posts as I write and can get near WiFi to upload.
(Oh, and I just finished Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue: An American Life". I'll have to do a book review on that one. Still thinking through some of her issues – what I agree with, what I don't. I do think the woman has done remarkable things and has such an indomitable spirit. I am glad she wrote a book about everything. The woman was slaughtered by the media, or so it seems. I really had a problem with her quitting until I read some of the trumped up legal issues she was facing. Maybe it was the smart move, maybe not? She doesn't seem done with political life and probably shouldn't be with the life she's led. I don't think she'll be happy just staying home and baking cakes. Works for me. Not her.)
Go Sarah!! (Both of you, hee hee) I finally got around to reading your post. This looks like a great experience. And, how exciting to share it with your whole family. I can't wait to read your posts. I'm especially interested in hearing how Ann Coulter came across. Because sometimes she just makes me want to go hide in a corner and think about what I've done.
I am about a third of the way through Palin's book, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. She really is an amazing woman and I can't wait to read the rest.