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We will be addressing all of the key issues, but our objective is to improve the process itself. If we can improve how our government functions, then we will have better planning and better balance leading to fewer (budget, healthcare, prison) crises in the future.
Government is the People
We cannot reduce special interest participation in government unless the People are willing to speak for themselves. If you are not registered to vote, you have no political voice; Register to Vote! The success of this campaign requires the participation of the People.
Declining to accept financial contributions means removing the financial middlemen. As a voter and supporter, you choose how best to spend your money to support the campaign. We will have bumper stickers, pins, flyers, and posters that you can either print directly from this site in your home or take to a local print shop. You don't have to worry that some portion of your contribution is going to some person, object or process that you would oppose. You, the voter, are in charge of how your money is spent.
Removing the money collection and distribution process also changes to whom the candidate and later representative must listen. When a candidate collects money from various interests, if the candidate wants to continue to get large contributions, (s)he must make an effort to listen to those valuable interests. This can create a lopsided view of the choices and needs of the People. When no money is collected and all of the People participate in the election process, then the candidate is more accountable to the People and must listen to all of them. This only works if the People stand up and get involved, both during the election and afterwards. Are you ready to make our government of the People, by the People and for the People once again? If so, stand up, step forward, speak out and be counted. Vow to dedicate 5 minutes of each week actively participating in our government. That is enough time to write a letter or make a phone call. In our new communication process, you will be able to do even more.
Let's Talk
The time has come for political discussion to be on the issues. Who slept with whom, who is taking drugs, name calling, character bashing, and all of the tactics currently in use may win elections, but it is the wrong way to win. How you play the game is as important as whether you win or lose. I plan to set the bar higher and focus on the issues and the principles which should be used to define the solutions.
My focus is not the other candidates. My focus is how we can best represent the voters. I do not plan to talk about the candidates. The way our media works, it is likely that I will get pulled into questioning about the other candidates. I may occasionally falter, but I will work very hard to avoid pro or con statements about the other candidates. Each candidate should be both explaining and demonstrating why they are the best candidate to represent you, the voter. I believe that the candidates should talk about the serious issues facing Californians, not each other.
What's really new
We are designing a new internet based tool for both managing the campaign and promoting ongoing discussion between you, the voter, and me, the candidate. It is physicially impossible for me to meet each and every voter in our huge district. However, I do want to meet as many of you in person as is practical. I want to promote communication with the campaign. I want it to be seen as routine. I want that communication to continue after the election if a majority of you choose to make me your representative. The process will be very similar to a moderated online discussion forum plus a wiki.
The more you are willing to put into our campaign, the greater your responsibilities, and thus influence will be. We will shift the political process from money influence to time influence. Since each of us has a similarly limited amount of time, regardless of our wealth, this seems to me to be the most appropriate way to level the playing field for every voter.
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