Constitution Party - California

With the upcoming election cycle just getting started, one question keeps running though my mind: Which Candidate or Party should I support?

Am I satisfied with the status-quo? Does The Incumbent represent my ideals and interests? Or, do I feel disenchanted by the current regime? Would a New Candidate do a better job?

Do I feel a sense of kinship with the dominant political parties, or am I ready for something truly new? Democrat. Republican. Independent. Incumbent. New Comer, who is worthy of my Vote. In every case, HUGE sums of money will be spent to convince you that only they have the answers and can take care of you.

But in order to find the right answer for you, first you must ask yourself another question.

“What country do I want to live in and leave to my children?”

Without a clear idea of what you want, pondering the selection of a candidate or political party is pointless.

Allow me to explain.

A phrase often associated with the United States is “The Land of the Free.” Why is that? Because the Constitution guarantees us: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Life: That your life is your own and you are responsible for it.
Liberty: Freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.
Pursuit of Happiness: Notice that happiness is not guaranteed - but the pursuit of happiness is.

When you give the responsibility of your life over to someone or something (such as your government), your liberties may be reduced to what “they” consider “best” for you. Your ability to pursue happiness will be restricted to an arbitrary condition set by others. This flies in the face of the inalienable rights guaranteed by our Constitution.

Ask yourself - do you want to be taken care of (for your “own good”) or do you want free access to the Constitutional provisions listed above? Do you want to claim the ability to reap the rewards or the consequences of your actions? Are you willing to embrace personal responsibility?

When I was growing up, my needs were met by my parents. I had food on the table, shoes on my feet, and cloths on my back with a roof over my head. I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying “As long as you live under my roof, you’ll do as you’re told.” As I got older, I wanted other things...a bike, a car, some spending money, etc. When I asked my parents for money I was usually told “No, we don’t have any to spare.”

Because I still had wants, I started cutting neighbors’ yards or washing cars to earn a little extra. As I got older, I had a paper route and worked in a fast-food restaurant. The more money I made, the less dependent on my parents I became, which increased my liberty and my ability to pursue my happiness.

I’m not saying that I have always been self-sufficient. That would be a lie. At times in my life I have needed financial help. But whenever I've been dependent on someone else for assistance, I've felt guilty. I knew that money was collected from others and given to me. I didn't earn it, and thus, I felt as though the giver had a right to judge how the money was spent. I felt restricted and uncomfortable.

I don’t believe that anything is “free” (except maybe advice, but you get what you pay for).

When we look to Government to take care of us, our liberties are restricted to the amount of liberty they allow (don't forget – it's “for our own good”). An extreme example is prison. The system is responsible for food, clothing and shelter and the prison warden dictates what you eat, wear... where you live and with WHO.

A less extreme example is Government Assistance. Welfare, Social Security, unemployment, etc. To receive the money or other benefits, you must “qualify” and proceed to jump though hoops to ensure you get some money. They have absolute control over how much you receive, for how long, what you can spend it on and how much extra money you can earn.

Right Now - The Government is taking an excessive amount of your paycheck to:

•Ensuring that you cannot save enough for yourself (high personal taxes)
•“Holding” your money “for you” (until you file a tax return)
•Reducing your ability to help family members who may need assistance (see A and B)
•Reduced benefits at work (due to increased state and federal regulations)
•Involuntarily supporting people who are taking advantage of social programs (paying for those who have not have earned your support)

What happens when the support you have grown accustomed to are reduced? What happens when the benefit provider changes the “qualifying” requirements? What happens when you no longer meet the existing requirements? What if you exceed the time or monetary allotment? You will have no recourse. You can’t ask for a meeting and say you need more. You have none, nada, zero control over the benefits doled out. It is for your own good. You are an account or file number and don’t exist in any human way.

That is not the country I grew up in, nor is it the country that I want to leave for my children. I want a country that holds dear those founding principles of the Constitution and the freedoms it provides. I want to be able to put in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay - without excessive Government regulations and taxes. I want to be able to support my family, my friends and others as I choose. I want to live in a country were I reap the rewards of my efforts and not live off the effort of others. When I have more, I give more, as do most Americans.

Stop and think how many needy families you could help if up to 40% of your earning weren’t stripped from your grasp in the name taxes. Consider how you and a couple of your neighbors could band together to assist the family down the street, or help a teenage mother, or create a college fund for neighborhood kids. Consider how this would create a stronger community, a stronger country. Consider that we could rely on we the people, not the government.

The Constitution Party is the Party I support. The Constitution Party is the party that truly believes in Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. As a Congressional Candidate, I seek your support. Help me as I endeavor to return this country to the principles of the Constitution and the founding fathers of Our Great Nation.