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...Continued from page 1 As an elected official for 16 years of my life, I fought within the system on issues I felt deeply about and to some degree I felt the pressures of the system. The voters will evaluate my record and pass judgment on the totality of my public service. When I left office a generation ago I was disgusted with government and politics. I withdrew entirely from the public arena for a decade. Over the last 15 years with the help of committed colleagues, much study, and trial and error, we were able to codify a concept and methodology that could make citizens deliberative lawmakers in every government jurisdiction of the United States. My campaign will focus public attention on legislation — the National Initiative — that will empower American citizens. We have designed a voting procedure for citizens to enact the National Initiative. It’s the only way people will ever be empowered. Equipping Americans with deliberative lawmaking tools will unleash civic creativity beyond imagination. A partnership of American citizen-lawmakers with their elected legislators will in fact make representative government more responsive to the needs of the people. Some people are cynical — they believe American citizens are unqualified to legislate on the policy issues that affect their lives. But these cynics fail to appreciate or are ignorant of the fact that 70% of American citizens have been legislating by initiative in states and local governments for the last 100 years. Their record is as good as legislative representatives and from a fiscal point of view, far superior. It’s almost 100% of the citizenry if you include referendums on bond issues — serious legislating. Indeed, this idea of lawmaking by the people has been in operation at national and local levels for more than 150 years in what may be the most advanced political culture in history, the democratic republic of Switzerland. We need to find solutions for a number of problems: Consider our tax system. Its unfairness is only superseded by its incomprehensibility. Imagine for a moment what life will be like when we recognize the reality that our government can raise its revenue fairly and simply by eliminating the IRS and all income taxes and replacing them with a straightforward and effective national sales tax with proper consideration for the necessities of like through a pre-bate. It’s called the Fair Tax — HR25 and S 25 in Congress. I doubt the Congress will enact it and that is why I pledge to place it before the people. We’ll “Let the People Decide.” Consider Social Security. Why do our representatives threaten our children’s and grandchildren’s future by taking money from the Social Security trust fund and spending it on the daily operations of government? As President, I will place before the people a proposal to put real money in the Trust Fund, investing it properly and identifying the interests of individual beneficiaries so that they can leave their surplus in the fund to their heirs. We’ll “Let the People Decide.” Consider health care. Harry Truman proposed it more than 50 years ago. The Congress has yet to act. I will place before the people a universal health care plan. We’ll “Let the People Decide.” It’s their health. It is my unreserved faith and trust in the common sense and wisdom of the American people that brings me here today to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the United States. We’ll “Let the People Decide.” I can stand here today because, throughout my life, I have had the love, friendship and support of family, teachers, friends, business and political colleagues in all the various communities where I have lived. I am blessed with a partner, devoted as I am to meaningful causes — the love of my life — my wife, Whitney. Many Americans are concerned about the war in Iraq, and about the broader question of whether and how a great nation can admit its mistakes and correct them. I believe America is doing harm every day we remain in Iraq — harm to ourselves and to the prospects for peace in the world. I will remove our troops expeditiously and without contingency. President Bush’s mistake is not worth the life or maiming of one more American soldier. In foreign affairs I will pursue aggressive diplomacy — not war. I will propose an amendment to the Constitution removing the power to declare war from Congress. Since the Congress abdicates its responsibility to the president I will make any declaration of war the responsibility of the people. Americans are entitled to know the facts and not be misled by the lies of a president and the misjudgments of a Congress. It’s the people treasure and the precious lives of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters that are placed in harm’s way. Certainly for this one we will “Let the People Decide.” Like most Americans, I consider myself a person of faith. I also celebrate our pluralistic society and believe we need to foster respect for religious diversity. I believe that faith — whatever denomination we choose — should improve us morally and ethically, and encourage our kindness and compassion for ALL people. It should not be a tool to condemn others, and should not politicize the beliefs of others. I was raised a Catholic. As an adult I joined the Unitarian Church, which accepts many paths for spiritual expression. My campaign will address the issues of the day with concrete solutions. As president I will place my agenda before the American people for decision. We’ll “Let the People Decide.” |