Denel Wardell for the People

Hello everyone.

What a special day today is. Why? Well, because today I had some reminders that has brought me some clarity.

I must apologize to you all. When I started this campaign, there was a clear view and a clear reason. I believe that this is what God has called me to do. I decided to run for office in order to serve you, and in service to God. But, in recent weeks, I have really lost sight of that. I have been listening to people "in the know" about what I needed to do, who I needed to talk to, how I needed to run. I went to a class that, though it was very educational and I needed to hear what they were saying, it still took me off track and out of focus a great deal.

How has all this happened? Quite simply, I forgot to trust in God. I have become anxious for the campaign, instead of focusing on the purpose. God says we are to be anxious for nothing. So, while I focused on the money I needed for the campaign, how much others are starting out with, getting different people to fill different positions, having all the right answers, and looking good, I lost focus on the One who called me in the first place.

Today, I was reminded of that. I was reminded that I was not called to become one of the "elite" who go about doing what they want with their agendas. I was not called to be above (or think I am above) everyone else. I was not called to have all the answers. I was called to service. Service to you, and service to God.

No, we did not reach the goal we had for the fundraiser...as a matter of fact, we are still about $1100 in the hole. No, this week I did not find a Campaign Manager, or a Fundraising Director. And let me tell you, as of last night, I was ready to write a very ridiculing letter about what should and should not be happening. It would have been the truth...but it would have been wrong. And this is why I need to apologize to you all...and why I consider today a special day. Because God touched my heart through Scripture, teaching, and friends today. He reminded me of what the focus should be.

This week I will be looking for a part-time job (preferably on third shift in order to keep the days open) that will be specifically for funding the campaign. There will still be the link in my messages and on the website for anyone who wants to contribute. But I will be trusting that God will send me the people I need when I need them, and the funds I need when I need them. I only ask from you that you pray for me and my family, vote for me in the primary and general elections, and tell others about me.

Thank you, and may God truly bless each and every one of you and your families.

Good morning all!

We have reached over 200 supporters on our facebook page! Our facebook group is starting to grow, as is our membership on the website. We need to keep going, though!

Five things I would like for you to consider in your support:

1. Join our Facebook group, and invite your friends as well. Especially those of you that know people in NW Alabama!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=184904163139

2. Join our Facebook page, and invite your friends as well. Especially those of you that know people in NW Alabama!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Denel-for-the-People-2010/144464267451

3. Join our Resistnet group, and invite your friends as well. Especially those of you who know people in NW Alabama.
http://www.resistnet.com/group/denelforthepeople2010

4. Join our website as a member, and again, invite your friends as well. When you join the website, please consider becoming a volunteer for the campaign. We are needing people willing to gather together to make things and brainstorm ideas on how to advance the campaign. Eventually we will need people to do neighborhood walks. We will need people who can make phone calls or send out emails or stuff envelopes. The volunteer need is great! Please consider becoming a volunteer.
http://denelforthepeople2010.com

5. We are really in need of financing. Our immediate need is $600. If everyone pitched in just a little bit, that would be covered in no time, without causing a financial burden on any one person. Shoot, if every one gave just $10, that would cover the immediate need and give us a little money to launch more of the campaign! I know times are tight...but please consider this help.
http://www.denelforthepeople2010.com/howyoucanhelp.htm

Again, thank you everybody for your support! It does mean the world to me!
In Liberty,
Denel Wardell
Your Candidate!

A lot has happened in the last few days. The campaign is starting to take shape. We have launched two teams, our online team, and our ground team.

Our online team is being spear headed by Tomas Gallucci, with some assistance from Tim Morris, and a lot of promotion from Cindy at Mug.com.

Tomas and Tim are working to create an awesome online presence. We are in the process of creating a facebook group and MySpace page. As soon as those are available we will let you know. Tomas got us set up on Twitter. So you can tweet us at @Denel4thePeople. Tomas will also be keeping things updated on the website, facebook page, and other places around the web. If you have any ideas, questions or concerns about our online presence, please email Tomas at tomas@denelforthepeople2010.com

Cindy has been outstanding at getting campaign information out to thousands of people. She and Jim have also been so gracious as to allow us to make their cafe our Campaign HQ! At least until we outgrow it. They also have been very encouraging to me...which is much appreciated. Whenever you get the opportunity to stop in at Mug.com, please tell them thank you.

Jessica Aday has graciously agreed to work as the treasurer. Currently there is no money for her to manage, but hopefully that will change soon. Jessica is really going to be very helpful in keeping the records straight. The ethics committee requires a lot of paperwork on financing. If you have any ideas, questions or concerns about our financing, please email Jessica at jessica@denelforthepeople2010.com

I am still in search of a campaign manager. The ideal person for this position will be detail-oriented, very flexible with their hours, and not in need of the income...at least not until we get some financing. I am really looking for someone who can keep me pulled together and keep my schedule straight. Someone who helps me remember all that needs to be done. Campaign experience is definitely a plus, but hardly a requirement. I mean, after all, I am not experienced as a candidate.

I want to give a special thank you to Boyd and Glenda Curtis. These two have been available to help in any way they can since I announced I was even considering running for office. Their dedication and opinions are very valuable to me. Thank you Boyd and Glenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we still need a lot of help. There are a lot of things we are doing to save money...but they take time. The more people we can pull together for some hands-on assistance, the better. I am seriously just a regular person trying to give the actual people in the community a voice in Montgomery. This is not a political machine with hundreds of thousands of dollars making me look slick. This is a true grassroots movement. And it will only work with people jumping in and helping. Please, consider what you can do. Even if you only have an hour a week, it would be so helpful.

Our next campaign meeting will be Nov. 21, 2009 at 9:30am, at Mug.com. However, over the next couple of weeks, we are going to have a few hands-on sessions, where we will be making promotional items, such as buttons, palm cards, etc. If you think you can dedicate some time, please email me at denel@denelforthepeople2010.com

In Liberty,

Denel Wardell

Your candidate!

I have decided to start blogging what the Constitution means to me. This is strictly what it means to me...not any legal review or anything like that. Just my opinion.

I am not promising to do this on any certain day of the week or anything. I am just going to take it piece by piece and write my thoughts...starting with the preamble.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,

establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common

defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the

United States of America.

We the People of the United States:

Who are the people? Do you just have to be on our soil to be one of "We the People?" I don't think so. I think you have to be somebody willing to uphold what we stand for. Somebody who loves who we are. Someone who believes in the foundation of our nation.

In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty:

Obviously we are not perfect. We have made our mistakes, not only individually, but together as a nation. But when our founding fathers put together this constitution, they were striving for something better...something to overcome our shortcomings...something to set us apart from other nations.

Take note of the word "domestic". Normally when the term "domestic" is used, it is just talking about on our own land...it is not talking about the whole world. So, I believe here is where it is limiting the reach of our constitution. Our constitution doesn't provide for the world, or even visitors to our nation...and definitely not invaders of our nation...but actually the people of our nation as I described above.

I want to touch on "promote the general Welfare". I believe our founding fathers were using the noun version of the term "welfare", definition: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity . I do not think they ever intended for the government to be responsible for the individual lives of the citizens of our nation. I believe they wanted to provide for the opportunity of all in our nation to be able to obtain their own good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity.

To ourselves and our Posterity:

Our founding fathers were looking to future generations. This was not a document just for them, but for their children. They were establishing a foundation for our nation to grow. They intended for their descendants to follow this document.

Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America:

There are two different definitions for ordain:

1: to invest officially with ministerial or priestly authority

2: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law

I think both of these definitions may have been a part of what they were writing. We know our founding fathers believed our rights were given to us by God. They were not something that any government entity had the power to give or take away from. Therefore, I believe that they may have believed they were ordaining this document as a work of ministry, to a degree, and that is why they used both the word "ordain" and "establish". If they just meant the second definition in using the word "ordain", wouldn't that have been redundant? On the other hand, I think they do use the word in the sense of the second definition because they were establishing the law of the land.

It's time to take action! Time to get this campaign in full swing!

Our first campaign meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at 9:30am, at Mug.com. Mug.com is a cafe located on Woodward Ave, next to Wendy's, in Muscle Shoals.

Anyone who is willing to help is welcome at this meeting. We willing be deciding on the positions for the campaign team, scheduling precinct walks, and discussing ideas for fundraising, and any other ideas you all have.

I look forward to working with you all and get this ball rolling!