Jonathan Vela

This year keeps getting more and more amazing. First, the first African-American president gets sworn in. This city elects a young talented Latino mayor. And today the U.S. Senate confirms Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. I am so proud to be a Democrat. So proud to be an American.

My Democratic Party has continued to be the party of the people. That is why I am a Proud Democrat. My party has passed the Voting Rights Act, established Social Security, and made this country better. Sonia Sotomayor is a well qualified jurist and that is why she is on the Court. The fact that she is Latina is just the icing for my cake. It is sad that our two senators from Texas did not vote for her despite their own admissions of her impeccable qualifications. They chose their party over their people. Democrats chose the people.

As a Latino, I identify with the Democrats because I believe in the people. I believe that a man like Barack Obama could become president. And he did. I believed that a Latina from the Bronx could one day be on the Supreme Court. And she did. I live in a city that embraces two twin brothers from Jefferson High School and elected them State Representative and Mayor. And the countless other stories across the nation.

This is the America that the Founders envisioned. The words WE THE PEOPLE seem to have some extra meaning this year. God Bless San Antonio, God Bless Texas and God Bless America!

Today we celebrate Barack Obama's birthday and we have a lot to celebrate. We are looking at an economy that is starting to grow. The stock market has stabilized and is hovering over 9,000 after hitting a low of 6700. We have a nation that can be proud again because America does not believe in torture. We have allowed funding on research to help with many diseases plaguing us. Am I 100 percent happy with his promises, maybe not but I am happy that he had hit the ground running and rescued us from our darkest hours since the Great Depression. He has alot to celebrate today and a heckuva lot more work to do. We are looking to make some of the much needed health care reform in the next few months. This country is going in the right direction and it is because this young president's leadership. Happy Birthday Mr. President!!!

I love my country. I love my city. I love District 10. I love America. This is a great nation that we live in. This 4th of July let us remember how great we are and how much greater we can be when we work together. We take for granted the rights that we have at times. The situation in Iran should remind all of us that despite how an election turns out that the process is sound. Pray for our troops who are fighting to keep our liberties as a model for all nations. Honor those who have sacrificed their lives for their country. Remember the police and firefighters who risk their lives everyday. The teachers, doctors, nurses who make our country better. The countless other occupation from waiters to waitresses to sanitation workers to CEO's. I suppose we can honor the lawyers too. Haha This country is better because of the people in it. I encourage everyone to make this country better each and everyday. Let us remember our Preamble and strive to make this a more perfect Union. God bless you. God Bless San Antonio. God Bless the USA!!!!!

Yes, this is a political blog and I will write more political topics soon but I wanted to express my grief for a hero of mine.

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San Antonio, we are in Stage 2 water restrictions. There are many indications that things might only get worse. We need to be responsible citizens and adhere to the water conservation efforts. I am not trying to be an alarmist but common sense says that the hottest days are still ahead of us. Please follow the restrictions as spelled out by the San Antonio Water System:

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Today is the run-off election and by the end of the night we will have two new members of council and possibly a third if Lourdes does not win. Personally, I think she will win but that is never a given. Of course, my council member won his re-election bid pretty handily. He has been active with the non profits and seldom seeks the glory like other politicians, who are eager for a photo-op. That is a virtue that I highly respect about him. There are some disagreements with our ideologies but fundamentally he is a good man. He believes in fiscal responsibility and I do as well. He quietly supports the community as do I. No, I am not writing his political epitaph because he has a lot more work to do and I look forward to seeing my district improve over the next two years and beyond.

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I love this city. This is my home. My family is here. I want to live the rest of my life here. I also want

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I am a born again Christian. I am a proud

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This past week we honored those from the Greatest Generation, who sacrificed their lives for the fate of the free world. Hopefully, that sacrifice will never

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I am a great voice for the Democratic Party

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