Senator Obama is Right

I am running for Congress to bring a renewed commitment to ethics and independence to Washington.

Six weeks ago I announced my pledge to refuse donations from lobbyists, political action committees or special interest groups. I urged all other candidates in this race to join me in this pledge.

They have yet to respond, and I can only conclude that instead of leading by example, the other candidates have decided to continue taking money from the very special interests that have wrecked our economy. The country we love is being destroyed by the greed of the lobbyists, special interest groups, and multinational corporations. They are ignoring your needs and are getting rich in the process.

That has to change, and that’s why I am running for Congress.

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Last week, Senator Obama clinched the Democratic Nomination for President. In one of his first acts as the head of the Party, he ordered the Democratic National Committee to adopt his campaign’s policy of refusing donations from the PACs and lobbyists that seek to control our politicians and our government.

Are there “good PACs” or “good lobbyists”? Perhaps, but Senator Obama believes if we are truly to earn the trust of the voters, we must clearly demonstrate our independence from the old politics and campaign finance systems that have brought us to where we are – more than $4 a gallon gas, a housing crisis, and no jobs.

It’s more than just appearances. Senator Obama believes the special interests, multinational corporations and PACS have too much power in Washington and that we must return government to the people. I agree.

Even John McCain has come around. He has recently reshuffled his campaign team, cutting ties to lobbyists and conservative groups, because he knows that there is too much money and influence in politics. If Obama and McCain can do it – why not each of us?

*****

Winning a seat in a two media market, gerrymandered district like this one is expensive. It takes millions to pay for advertisements, mailers and voter contact. That means most candidates end up being dependent on contributions from lobbyists, multinational corporations, political action committees and special interest groups. Well not me.

I will finance this campaign with 3 million dollars of my personal funds. Some will say I am trying to buy a congressional seat. Not so. I am a patriot. This money is an investment in the country I love.

My votes in Congress will be for the people and the people will know who I am and what I stand for - them. They will know that I cannot be bought.

We should all lead by example. Before a single vote is cast in this election, we must demonstrate our independence and our accountability to the voters. We must avoid the conflict created between big donations and good public policy and reject any gifts or campaign contributions from any interest that seeks to influence legislation. They can have their turn, but let the people speak first, without the influence of big money.

Politicians must no longer be available to the highest bidder. The legislative-lobbyist complex in Washington is the one American Industry we can afford to lose, and it is one we can’t afford to keep.

*****

I am running for Congress not because I want the title, but because I want to do the work. I will not take the annual salary of $160,000. I will work for a dollar a year.

I don’t want any of the perks, not the free cars or gas, or any of the other things that regular Americans have to pay for themselves.

And I won’t change when I get to Washington. No wining and dining by the lobbyists for me. Their money doesn’t impress me, and I won’t take a dime of it.

I'm an optimist, but I know I cannot win this fight alone. I won't ask you for your money, but I am asking for your vote and your ideas.

Join the fight for a government that helps people and not those who offshore our jobs and industries.

Join the fight to bring moral integrity, honesty and ethics to Washington.

And most of all – I need you - all of you - to join the fight to Save American Jobs and Farms.

Let’s get to work.