I wanted to take a moment to explain a little to you about my campaign, my party
affiliation and, in a way, disclaim my political affiliations in order to make my position
clear, as well as to relieve the Democratic Party of the need to honor an implied
acknowledgement of my involvement in the political system.
I chuckle a little as I write this, but at the same time, the scope of issues I wish to
address do tend to go beyond those typically addresed inside the 2 party system.
I have chosen to declare myself candidate in the Democratic Party
as an independent because I honestly believe in what the Democratic bylaws, its
platform and ideologies claim. the two party system is broken, and I no
longer trust the parties we have because of their loyalty to the Council on Foreign
Relations.
I could nearly as easily have declared my candidacy as a member of the Green Party or
as a Libertarian. I could also tell you there is much I agree with in the way the
Republican Party organizes itself, and I even share some of its basic priorities and
concerns, although I do not agree with their methods of implementation and their
legislative approach.
I like the idea of "3rd parties". I believe it is healthy for
Democracy, and is of great benefit to public discourse on issues and ideals. But, I
also believe it is important, given the current political climate, to seek ways to find
commonality and to consolidate political power in order to make it possible to address our
common concerns: justice, equality, peace, globalization, opening economic markets and
encouraging citizen participation in government, among a list of many other issues and
concerns.
When I discuss the issues of the day, I speak my mind. I am encouraged by the
responses I receive. I find people become enlivened and filled with hope for the
future.
And then, the same people slump into a bit of a depression, a resignation, because they
do not believe it is possible for a citizen of this country to win an election of this
kind. Even more, because they do not believe that the political climate would allow
someone like me to win. Someone who wants to return ethics and truth and equality and
parity to a system which has become corrupted by the power of wealth.
I understand their resignation. But I also understand the power of the will of the
people.
This campaign will not succeed without the will of the people, the belief that if we
unite to reclaim the promise of Democracy, that the will of the people can determine the
outcome and be fully represented and implemented in the policies of this nation.
President John F. Kennedy said, "United, there is nothing we can not
accomplish." I agree with him.
What I am going to say next is not intended to demean or diminish anyone.
Since June of 2002, I have been engaged in a campaign to encourage people who were
afraid, to speak up and exercise their rights to free speech. I encouraged them to
vote. I prodded and poked at the media, I scolded members of Congress. And I
angered many of them. At the same, I honestly believe that, as they considered their
courses, embraced my ethical challenges and began to stand up for the America they really
believe in, that I have caused a great deal of action to be taken by the media and
political leaders.
But, because I am a political outsider, I have been shunned by the Democratic Party and
the press. I believe they will continue to do so, because to acknowledge my contributions
and the actions I have elicited would give credibility to the voice I bring to the
political discourse. I would be lying if I said it did not frustrate and anger me at
times to know that the ideas and concepts on this site - and more - were "stolen by
other political candidates, something that will become obvious the more you read my
materials.
Partly because I honestly believe they think I represent what they want, but do not
believe can succeed inside the political system that has evolved.
The paradox of it all is, as soon as a larger group has decided to endorse my
candidacy, and I have proven that I represent a group and not just my own opinions, that
shunning will come to an end. That's the importance of taking a stand for the
issues, and causing our political system to address them.
Now, I have not lived my life with the intention of protecting my image in order to
later project a facade about my character, beliefs and public standing. It is likely
that I will be subjected to numerous personal attacks, typically referred to as politics
of personal destruction. I have already witnessed the smearing of other candidates
in order to limit the number of candidates and to control the debate over the issues of
this country and the world. I find it repugnant, but accept that this is the world
we live in today. I am also more than strong enough to stand up to what will
certainly occur to me as well.
The current political environment is not one that encourages the exchange of ideas.
It is one of domination, control of the media, dirty tricks and political agendas
that exclude the citizen from the process, except to be subjected to pandering and
propaganda.
I reject that.
And I promise that if you will believe that the citizens of this nation can and do have
the opportunity to make a choice, not the lesser of two evils, but for the best of ideas
and leadership, that we can reclaim the process that no longer serves us.
For me, my candidacy is a moral imperative. I can no longer sit back and watch us
become divided by half-truths and opportunism in order to serve political ambitions, or to
be on the winning side. The Constitution, this government, was designed to be a
servant of the people. And I will not rest until it is restored to that assignment
once again.
Regardless of what you might hear, regardless of whatever mistakes I may make along the
way as I deal with the press and other political leaders, please believe that I am
ultimately committed to one thing only: the empowerment of people inside a system of
justice and equality for all. And I will not compromise that commitment or my message.
I will continue to speak my mind, express my ideas, and request only that you consider
what I actually say, the ideas that I present and then I'll trust you to make your
decisions based on that.
I believe that if I have the opportunity to speak to the issues, instead of the
insistence of pundits to defend myself as a person, that you will agree with me on a great
number of things. If you will do that, listen to what I say, and not the
propagandists, that I will most easily accept and trust the decision of the citizens of
this country.
But, if you do agree, it will be up to you to assist me in succeeding. I do not
want to rely on corporate donations, I will not sell my candidacy to the highest bidder or
do things that require me to offer political favors.
I am a citizen who wishes to serve my fellow citizens. I call myself a New
Patriot. And I do it for America, I do it for myself, and I do it for the world, and the
opportunity to create the future we have given up to despair, but yearn for nonetheless.
I hope you will join me, and be my partner as I declare myself as yours.
