Why am I running for office?

I am concerned for the path of our future, country, society and world. The current safety, sustainability and progress of the future is concerning. My supporters and I are concerned with what problems future generations will inherit from what we do or don’t do today. Being concerned, I truly want to make a difference. It bothers me deeply that I cannot do more.

I am tired of those who would put others and the community at risk for personal gain. I am tired of short-term gain in exchange for long-term stability. We need to look for long-term solutions instead of short-term fixes.

I want to give younger generations opportunities that may be out of reach for them. A future must be guaranteed to all. We want to make sure everyone has an equal chance to not only explore their full potential, but help their community to explore as well.

Why am I running as an Independent?

I cannot stress how high of regard I hold direct democracy and the will of the majority to be upheld as long as it does not deprive the minority of those freedoms and rights that are guaranteed to all. The majority must rule with the guaranteed right of the minority to put issues up to a general vote to decide the new majority or recertify the current majority. I am a strong believer defending states rights, local control with outside verification and especially direct democracy. The laws that are passed we must all live by and it is your taxes that are spent, you should be able to vote on them directly.

There are many voters, Independents and Moderates, which have become disillusioned with the two major parties. Voters are tired of the legislature being reactive and not proactive. Voters are tired that tragedies have to happen in order for the legislature to stop dragging their heals. The moderates and the middle of the road voters need to have a voice in the legislation. As an Independent, I believe I can gain the trust of many moderates on both sides to accomplish goals that are commonly agreed upon and much needed, but hampered by party politics and extremists on both sides of an issue.

Too often bureaucrats have a strangle hold on constitutional issues, block key issues or deny to a general vote because of personal views or interests. Issues (no matter what side the representative votes personally), that deal with constitutionally and legality must be given the opportunity to be forwarded to the general election, despite personal opinions, to let the voters of Idaho decide. I believe that many issues that are decided in legislation need to be decided in general elections. Legislation that the majority of the public can generally agree on never gets passed because of personal views, self-interest, asking for beyond what the majority can agree on (greed), or just simply because the other party proposes it. I strongly believe personal views have no place in the decision process of implementing constitutional laws that affects all, without the collection and equal consideration of ideals, views and people. Too often the general public is not offered the right to vote on those issues. The public cannot be denied the right to decide. Let’s put those issues of question to public vote for either correction or dismissal. We may not agree on everything, but we can get things done despite party politics. Instead of passing legislation that only benefits particular groups in the hope that those benefits will trickle down, let us pass some legislation that benefits the citizens of Idaho directly. Let us do what is in the best interest of the people and not one particular party.

It is no wonder that people are discouraged with voting. Many people believe that voting does not matter or power groups are going to put whom they want in office anyway. Let us bring back confidence and enthusiasm in voting. There are people being imprisoned or worse for democracy in other parts of the world, something that many here take for granted. The longer the majority of us remain divided and fight among ourselves for what little scraps are left, the more unshakable they become. Most of us have realized that our country and future are in trouble. Something is going to have to change. We can’t ignore it any longer. We are going to need to take control of our societies’ path while we still can. Let us help give people back faith in our government’s promises and help create hope and promise for the future.

What I intend to do in office?

I intend to create multi-partisan advisor groups from all aspects of the political spectrum. We want to search out and listen directly to concerns and suggestions directly from the citizens of district 4. Raised in Northern Idaho, I know the need for a strong presence in the Idaho legislation. Let us give Northern Idaho a say in what is a commonly run Southern Idaho legislature. Give North Idaho strong representation in the Idaho legislation. We need to give power back to the ordinary citizens. You can’t buy or threaten true patriotism.

Our responsibility:

How can we teach our children that walking on the backs of others to get ahead is wrong when those who do seem to get the most rewards? How can we ever expect things to change unless we act upon what we advocate? What do our children think when we say one thing and do another? We must lead by example and be forthright. George Orwell once said, "In a time of Universal Deceit, telling the truth is a Revolutionary Act".

One must not accidently, absently, or intentionally hinder what is the pre-considered safety or ability of society, (as a whole or individually,) to better themselves. We must not only act in the best interest of today, but in our children and their futures. Voters need to prevent government and laws implemented in self-interest, personal gain/views and at the expense of others, at risk of the community, or at odds with the majority.

We are not alone in our actions. As long as you act or base your actions on the premise that you or your vote does not matter, it won’t. However, your vote does matter, our voices do add up. You must ask yourself, “Is it going to happen sooner if I do nothing or something?” We have to take action. Talking about it is not the same as doing. Inaction creates more inaction. Let us get it done. We are all pieces of the puzzle interlocked and dependent on each other. We may not always have the foresight to see the most trivial of our actions but rest assured, others will. We are not isolated in our actions, but our inaction as well. When it comes down to it we are responsible for the monsters we create or fail to prevent.

Voters and society must accept personal responsibility to future generations. What kind of world to we want too leave? We must have truth, trust, responsibility, ingenuity, honesty, investment and opportunity in our future. We must work toward creating a future that can be seen as obtainable by all. We must earn back our childrens’ faith/confidence in not only our promises, but our governments as well. Failed promises are failures in the eyes of society. We cannot break promises or deny rewards to societies that deserve and/or have earned them; or we will fail them. In order for government to work effectively, we must all have a voice in how it is managed. If we become afraid or loose faith in our children, the destiny of the future becomes the same. It’s all about freedom and respect for other human beings that are just trying to support themselves or their families. Voters need to create ways for adults’ lives to become self-efficient as well as for children to contribute to society. We want to make sure there are equal opportunity, liberty and justice for all.

To create a sustainable future we do not have to alter our lifestyles but rather a slight modification of how we access our modern conveniences. How can we expect things to change or others to alter their behavior when we ourselves refuse to because of personal inconveniences or are unwilling to consent to the adjustment ourselves? Change does not necessarily mean something drastic, it can mean adjustable steps. Someone has to take the first step, take the first risk and make the first adjustment. It may take more than one person for others to follow. Sometimes we are bigger players than we believe we are. What kind of world do we want?