For those of you on Facebook, please check out this group. Sen. Jim DeMint, a conservative Republican, not up for re-election, started this group to petition for earmark reform. Innovative thinking from the first term Senator to bring the issue to the public! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13574840332&ref=nf

Happy Halloween! - Alan



- Video from Mark from Clear Lake, TX

I admire your ambition and determination and it's clear that the U.S. (and Canada) need the voice of your generation.

- Carl from Vancouver, BC

"Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem. The accompanying article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE.....how in the hell can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief?"

- Michael from Pasadena, TX


Michael, we should be mindful that photos/stories do not get blown out of proportion before the facts are checked. ABC reports that the picture was not taken during the pledge, but during the national anthem, and records suggest that he did say the pledge. Either way, I want our next President to be proud to say the pledge, and have respect for the national anthem as well.

Nothing is getting done in Washington. Post Offices and Court Houses account for nearly half of bills signed into law this year. Of the 106 Bills signed into law in the 106th Congress, 46 named post offices, court houses or roads.

- Terry from Washington, DC

This is politics as usual; we can only hope that these bills went quick and that resources were used sparingly on these bills. Perhaps we can wrap all the naming bills together to save time? Keep in mind that generally these go quickly.

Thanks for your thoughtful response to my questions. Young people like you are going to have to find solutions to the problems that face this country and I commend you for wanting to get into the fray. Since your goal isn't to become a career politician you may just be able to make a difference. You seem to have your head screwed on straight and the energy to tackle some of the issues that need fixing. I don't vote the party line. Instead, I vote for those who are willing to speak their minds without fear of being politically incorrect. You seem to fall into that category. Best of luck with your campaign.

- Dale from Sugar Land, TX

I was asked about my voting history, and how the only record of me voting is the 2004 general election... in the interest of openness, here is the jest of the dialog...

"I just wanted to hear your excuses. You could vote in November of 2004 by mail, but not in March? I've had kids at university, in the military, in the hospital ... but they still managed to find a way to vote. You're gonna make a fine Republican, son. Still livin' with Mom and Dad, huh? Yep - all the makings of a great Republican."

- Susan from the Blogosphere

Dear Susan,

I’m glad that your family has been so involved in politics, not enough people are. Could I vote in Mach of 04? Sure I could… did I think about it? Nope… never crossed my mind. Many college students, myself included, are not in tune with politics. I took a half dozen political science course and not once did we talk about the importance of voting. Most high school kids turn 18 and if someone did not force a voter registration card into their hands, they likely would never bother. I want to fix this… combat this apathy… the same apathy that I was once a victim of.

Perhaps you could help me do so? Blog about the need for schools to encourage students to vote. We could come up with a way for voting from college to be simplified. There are secure ways to do so via the internet, which should be explored as it would likely increase college student participation in politics. Rather than attack me, lets think constructively on how to solve problems.

If you are elected to Congress won't you have to become preoccupied with reelection in two years, hence like all members of Congress?

- Dale from Sugar Land, TX

I will not have to become preoccupied with reelection because I do not plan to spend my career in Congress. I want to go up there and do a good job, and in doing so people will either reelect me because of my performance or they will not. I am willing to serve for as long as the people of the 22nd district want me to do so, but once the people believe I am not serving their interests, I encourage them to vote me out of office. That is how democracy works... we vote for who we believe will do the best job, not for who spends the most money while running.

A young for Congress with the very freshest approach

- Jewish Herald Voice (10/18/07)
* Click on Article to Enlarge

Just saw you on KOLR 10, one of the top stories at 6:00 am. Glad to hear things are working out for you, keep it up buddy.

- Tanner from Springfield, MO

How do you feel about our involvement in Iraq? I read recently that we were spending over $10 billion per month on the war. Do you think we are getting our money's worth?

- Dale from Sugar Land, TX

The war has been a polarizing issue lately, and I feel that we should focus on training Iraqi troops so that they can police there own state. History has shown that an outside force can not police an indigenous population as well as the indigenous force can. We are not getting our money's worth, because we are wasting money on a regular basis due to government inefficiency and poor spending decisions. However, when reading reports on war spending you must be mindful what is lumped into the bill, is the $10 billion the cost of being in the Iraq war? Or is that the entire costs that are some how related to the war (i.e. the pay for soldiers, the equipment being used, and the accountant paying the bills back in DC)? If the second case, many of these costs would be incurred regardless if we are in war or just operating the Department of Defense. Another concern is that many earmarks slip into defense spending appropriation bills that have no business being there, and these also raise the numbers later found in the newspapers. Despite this, yes, we are spending a lot of money on this war, and with some better business sense, we should be able to trim the fat.

"I saw you on TV tonight. I am really impressed with you. You are one of the candidates that I feel has a fresh view on some very needed areas of our government."

- Wesley from Fort Bend, TX

"Saw you on tv last night... you looked professional and were well spoken."

- Bryan from Houston, TX

The Houstonist Takes Notice

"Meet Alan Steinberg, the 25-year-old candidate for U.S. representative from District 22."

- Houstonist (10/16/07)

Full Blog

25-Year-Old Aggie Grad to Make Run for Congress

A young man who has never held an elected position wants to be the next Republican from Texas to run for the United States Congress in the November 2008 election. Alan Steinberg, 25, of Sugar Land, Texas has set hit sites on District 22. The only difference between Steinberg and the other candidates is his age and that he still lives at home with his parents. Steinberg says his toughest obstacle running for Congress is his age. He grew up in Sugar Land, graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas A&M and a Master's degree in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State. He's worked for the defense department in Washington. Steinberg says he decided to run for Congress this summer after having enough of politics. He wants to see elected leaders who will listen more to constituents and not special interest groups. The primary election for Congressional District 22 will be in March. - KBTX-TV - Bryan/College Station (10/16/07)

Video & Web Post

Candidate, 25, who's never held office runs for Congress

(10/15/07 - KTRK/SUGAR LAND, TX) - A local man has his eye on Washington, DC. But what makes him different from the other candidates in District 22 is his age.

There are at least nine candidates who have indicated they want to be the republican candidate in Congressional District 22. Only one lives at home with mom and dad.

Driving a flashy purple Corvette which in 1998 was the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500, Alan Steinberg jokes that the stuffed duck which sits on his dash is his campaign strategist. While pounding the pavement and talking to voters, the 25-year-old gets serious, saying one of the toughest obstacles he's facing is his age.

"Everyone has something older than me," Steinberg explained. "Whether it's a bottle of scotch, a pair of boots, a hat -- someone's got something. Usually it's their kids."

He grew up in Sugar Land, graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from A&M and a master's degree in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State. He's worked for the defense department in Washington and proudly admits he's never held any elected position.

"I have none," he said. "Never ran for anything. I never even ran for student council."

But he says he decided to run for Congress this summer after having enough of politics as usual. He wants to see elected leaders who will listen more to constituents, not special interest groups. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative -- a label he says exemplified by the fact that he lives at home in Sugar Land with mom and dad.

"I just think of it as being responsible with money," Steinberg explained.

Most of the other candidates are nearly 20 years older than Steinberg. One is nearly 30 years his senior.

District 22 candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said, "Serving in Congress gives me a lot of experience going forward and makes me a better representative to the people."

The competition, though, says Steinberg's age is not of greatest concern. They suggest his lack of political experience is a larger issue.

Former Sugar Land Mayor Dean Hrbaceck said, "I think that's going to be very important in a voter making a decision, versus someone who has an unproven or unknown track record."

A person must be at least 25 years old to take office. The youngest congressman ever is Adam Putnam of Florida who was 26 at the time of his election last fall.

One more note on our young candidate. You'll remember Tom DeLay served as representative for District 22 for a number of years. When he was elected to the house in 1984, Alan Steinberg was just two years old. You can read more about this story in our Houston Community Newspaper partner, "The Fort Bend Sun."

- KTRK-TV -Ch 13 Houston (10/15/07)

Full Story & Video

"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the Income Tax."

- Albert Einstein

Age Not A Deterrent for Dist. 22 Hopeful

Another candidate has announced his bid for congressional District 22. While the platform for his campaign is eradicating inefficiencies and 'wasteful spending' in government while lowering taxes, voters may focus on a different issue - his age. At 25, Sugar Land resident Alan Steinberg is by far the youngest candidate bidding for the district seat.

"I think already (my age) has a dual effect," said Steinberg. "You have the people who have the jokes - 'I have shoes older than you...' A lot of other people think it is great, they like the fact that they have a young person who is willing to get involved to effect change."

"Basically I am fed up with government inefficiencies and wasteful spending, and I don't see anyone willing to stand up and do anything about it," said Steinberg. "The biggest thing I want to do is bring it to the public's attention. People consider it a necessary way to do things in Congress and it wasn't originally and it doesn't have to be anymore."

"Another thing I am really unhappy about is (once) politicians get elected, their focus becomes reelection rather than the issues," said Steinberg. "They are already taking the next step."

Steinberg says his youth and lack of political experience has the benefit of leaving him unencumbered by affiliations with lobbyists and owing no 'political favors.'

"I don't owe anybody anything," he said. "I am not your traditional candidate. I am happy to embrace that."

- Fort Bend Sun (10/11/2007)

Full Story

The Story was also run in The Katy Sun & Sugar Land Sun

"What do you plan to do about illegal immigration?'

- Question most asked at the Fort Bend County Fair

Illegal immigration is both an economic and a security concern. We must build the border fence; the act has been passed but now government inefficiency and bureaucracy are preventing the building of it. But we can not stop there or we will just have ladder builders. We must reduce the value to entering illegally, this includes stopping benefits to illegal immigrants. And we have to enforce the laws we already have, rather than turn a blind eye to the problem.

"Why don't you have any signs on your car at parades?" or "Why do you drive someone else rather than have someone drive you in a parade?"

- The typical parade questions I get asked

I believe that parades are a time for celebration, held to honor people, groups and events. It is great to see elected officials come out and be part of a celebration, but this is not the time for politics. I happily participate in parades because people love to see the Pace Car, especially children. Thats why I do not cover up the car with campaign signs and I drive whomever I am asked to, be it a pageant winner, elected official or fair volunteers.

A Lucky 7 Republicans Want to Run Against Nick Lampson

Alan Steinberg

Or as I like to call him, “The Kid”. Alan is 25 years old. Isn’t that just the cutest thing? This is the constitutionally enacted minimum age to be a congressman. Alan says he wants to set a new pace for CD 22. I’ll say. Nowhere on his web page could I locate words to the effect that he is a card-carrying member of the NRA.

But I did find this out:

Alan has a MySpace page.
Alan also has a Facebook profile.

- Half Empty (10/6/07)

Full Blog Posting

“Why do you want to run for Congress?”

- While never asked directly here, I get this question often in person (including a few times today)

I want to stop the wasteful spending and government inefficiency at the federal level. I want to see strong leaders, independent thinkers, and problem solvers in Congress… not politicians serving special interest groups and more focused on re-election than public service! It is time for change, and electing a politician will not get your change. The public should not accept the current spending habits of Congress and send a message by electing someone new. I will stand up for the public and work to reduce spending. I am a statesman, not a politician, because I am willing to making tough choices for public good and not for personal gain.

I'd vote for you Alan....if I was in your district!

- Greg from Ft. Worth, TX

Welcome to the Blogosphere

Republican Alan Steinberg, a 25-year-old Republican candidate for Congressional District 22, says his very first campaign speech, to fellow Houston-area Aggies, was "a great success." Muse draws attention to the "pictures of cute girls" on Steinberg's MySpace page, labeling him an "overachiever." Off the Kuff says Steinberg has "a fairly accomplished resume." PinkDome, meanwhile, calls Steinberg a "douche." [Ed. note: Politics ain't beanbag.] - Texas Weekly (10/2/07)

Direct Link Blog