Posted on 04/03/2002 4:27:48 AM PST by P8riot
Greetings fellow Virginians,
My name is Kevin Harrison Newman and I’m asking you to make me your next United States Senator. I have never before aspired to public office, but have grown increasingly tired of the inability and unwillingness of the senior Senator from this Commonwealth to uphold his oath of office. Those who know me know that I have been an outspoken critic of those who would sacrifice our freedoms on the altar of political expediency. Therefore, beginning today, I am offering you my services as his replacement. This campaign is purely a grassroots effort on behalf of those who really desire to see a change in government. I am not on the ballot, and I am not raising funds. I will not be held accountable to any groups other than the people of Virginia.
Throughout the history of this great nation, Virginians have taken the lead in proclaiming individual, and states rights. From the first settlers at Jamestown in 1607 to Patrick Henry’s “give me liberty or give me death”, to General Washington’s victory over the British at Yorktown. Many great Virginians have led this country in times of war, and in times of peace.
George Washington, from Westmoreland County, our first president and recognized by many as the father of our Republic. Thomas Jefferson, from Albemarle County, crafted the Declaration of Independence, and began the westward expansion of America. James Madison, from Port Conway, the “Father of the Constitution”, who led the country during the turbulent days of “The War of 1812.” James Monroe, from Westmoreland County, established the nation’s first true foreign policy. William Henry Harrison, from Charles City County, who though he died one month into his term, previously distinguished himself as a military commander. John Tyler, also from Charles City County, became president when Harrison died, and was a champion of “States Rights”. Zachary Taylor, from Orange County, led this country briefly during the war with Mexico. Woodrow Wilson, from Staunton, who led this country through “the war to end all wars.”
Leadership is a Virginia tradition, and I believe that it is time for Virginia to take the lead again and elect a Senator that will look after their interests, while at the same time honor his oath to protect and defend the Constitution. One that will not be indebted to anyone but the people that put him in office, and who will not be afraid to stand up and say enough is enough when it comes to the erosion of our liberties.
My political ideologies run staunchly conservative. I believe that the US. Constitution, as it is written, is sacred, and that the framers knew exactly what they were doing when they penned it. I believe that government has two primary roles, to serve and protect the people that put it in place.
On the issues, I believe that:
Congress must support the individual right of freedom of speech. I believe that this includes political speech, religious speech, and personal opinion. No person, ethnic, social, or religious group should be given preference based solely upon their status as a member of any group, whether it is perceived as a minority or not. Additionally, neither should anyone be ostracized for expressing their opinion, regardless of whether others deem it offensive.
The lawful citizens of the United States have an inalienable right to protect themselves from those that would seek to harm them, those who would seek to deprive them of rightfully gained personal property, and those in political office who would seek to deprive them of their liberties. Therefore, I believe that it is the right, and the obligation of every law abiding American citizen to possess arms sufficient to defend themselves from all such aggression, and to be trained in their safe and proper usage.
The purpose of the military is to provide a corporate defense of the United States, it’s interests, and it’s citizens. That the use of the military, and/or state militias (National Guards), against the people of the United States is an act of aggression by the government. I believe that this also extends to the various law-enforcement organizations either local, state, or national. At no time do I believe that America’s armed forces should ever come under the command of an international governing body, or the government of another nation.
America was built on the backs of men and women who, by virtue of their pioneering spirit and vision, sacrificed to bring about a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. Government can best serve the American dream by focusing on the things that it does best, and getting out of the way of private individuals and corporations who operate within the framework of the law. I believe that this also includes reducing, and ultimately ending federal funding for elective medical procedures, education, and the elimination of occupationally related federal mandates (quotas, minimum wage laws, regulations, etc.). The government’s violation of this principle has led to the establishment of a society dependent upon it for day to day needs, and has led to confiscatory tax rates and a reduced standard of living for all working Americans.
The state of America’s educational system is not good. This is especially significant considering that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Many families are locked into sending their children to public schools, where both their safety and their potential for learning is in question. Many parents would like their children to attend schools where their belief systems will not be undermined, while many others would also like to improve their children’s chances of a good education in order to allow them to break out of the loop of poverty. I believe the proper way to approach the improvement of our children’s education is to allow the individual to apply some of the money that they earn to their children’s future. I fully support a per child tax credit for school age children to allow parents to provide for the possibility of a better future for their children, and for America.
Congressmen and all other politicians should be subject to a full disclosure of the source of all backing. Representatives are elected by the people to conduct business on behalf of the people. While it is imperative that all Americans to have a voice in their government, it is also wise to disclose to the American people the details of who are influencing their representatives. Particularly if that influence is directly contrary to the will of the people they have been elected to represent, and the representative’s oath to defend the Constitution.
Much has been said about Social Security in the last few years, but until there is a real incentive to change the system, it will most likely remain status quo. The problem is that while many in congress have stated their desire to overhaul the system, it doesn’t seem to be high priority for others. To give impetus to this effort I fully support the abolition of the Congressional Pension fund, making Congress subject to the same retirement provisions as the rest of Americans. This will give the program the necessary priority to receive the attention it deserves, and reduce the proliferation of “career politicians.” If Congress has to depend on Social Security for retirement, then it will be to their best interests to see to it that the program remains solvent, or a better program replaces it.
Married citizens should not be subjected to a greater tax burden than single citizens. The current system is inequitable, and discourages marriage by the imposition of financial considerations. The United States’ tax code has become an unwieldy beast, which requires that many individual taxpayers and corporations enlist the services of tax accountants and lawyers. This code must be reformed and simplified. I fully support an across the board flat tax. This will simplify the tax system by removing the bureaucracy necessary to support it. I also support elimination of the Inheritance Tax, and the Capital Gains tax.
The United States is not sufficiently represented within the United Nations, especially given the fact that the major share of the funding for the organization is provided by this country. Therefore I fully support the exodus of the United States from the UN, and the relocation of all UN offices to a different country, thereby removing them as a source of financial burden on the American citizen.
Congressional legislation should be submitted with no riders. A piece of legislation should stand on it’s own merit, and not be weighed down with “pork barrel” spending packages. This will streamline needed legislation, while at the same time reducing government costs. It also has the benefit of showing the electorate just where their representatives stand on the issues, without them hiding behind questionable legislation.
Again, I am not seeking a place on the ballot prior to the election, and I am not raising funds, I only ask that you write in my name, Kevin H. Newman, as your choice when you exercise your right to vote on November 5, 2002. I also ask that you contact friends that may be likely to do the same. As I stated before this is an entirely grassroots effort. If you are like me, and are tired of the marginal representation that you are receiving in Washington, DC, then this year is the time to act. Otherwise, if the provisions of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold legislation are upheld in the Supreme Court, the opportunity may never come again.
As concerns my personal qualifications for this position, I am a natural born American citizen, 45 years old, and have lived in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1984. I am married to a wonderful woman; we have a beautiful newborn son. I am an honorably discharged veteran of the United States, Navy, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
I am just getting started on this write-in campaign, so bear with me while we develop an information infrastructure.
Thank you for your time. God Bless America, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Sincerely,
Kevin H. Newman
Nonsense!
How about those Demoncrat lackeys John Corzine, Jean Carnahan and John Edwards - just to name a few. Do you hear anything from the media about them being "not qualified"?
Next steps? Do you have to file with the FEC?
You're right. John Edwards served in NC as an ambulance chasing lawyer - so he has had plenty of experience with the various branches of government - and the rest are incompetent.
How about Ronald Reagan? Running for Governor of California is a bigger job than being a Senator. He never held political office. George Washington never held an elected position in his life, other than President (and they had plenty of elected offices around then, too).
Listen. This "you haven't enough experience" game could go on all day. Who cares if they have "elected experience"? If necessary, one can hire savvy aides who can help you through the political hoops. It might be a help, but it is certainly no qualifier.
Schmuck Schumer has been in government all his life, as well as other worthies such as Joe Lieberman and Al Gore. Sucking off the government teat gives nobody an inside track to honesty, integrity, common sense and respect for the Constitution. I'll take those latter qualities rather than how many years somebody has "served" in government as an elected official.
Give us an entire government of the previously unelected and we'll probably be way ahead of the game.
Thanks for your reply on abortion. That's excellent. Without apologies, I am in some ways a single-issue voter: I do not vote for pro-choice/pro-abortion/anti-life candidates. That's why I asked. My suggestion is to fill the vacuum of death with life: life for the unborn, promoting options - crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, protect the elderly and disabled (from euthanasia), as opposed to just being against abortion. You have presented a principled framework on many issues, which certainly has carried over into the abortion issue.
Our prayers are with you.
He states up front that he has held none. I, for one, consider that a point in his favour. "Politician" should not be a full time career; that it has become one is the reason for some of our problems with bloated, overreaching, unconstitutional government.
AB
I don't know where you are located, or where you're campaign (?) offices would be, but I'd be proud to help you. PC skills, telephone, public relations, you name it, I am so there.
I don't subscribe to the theory that people can't tell you what they intend to do in political office (or anything else, for theat matter), prior to them doing it. Nor do I feel one is disqualified because of no political record. Whether they will hold to their stated intentions is another discussion.
If performance in political office were the only criterea for judging a man's life and outlook for political office, then we should never vote for anybody who has never held office. That means we would only vote for those who previously held office, which ultimately means nobody,... because every elected politician somewhere, sometime ran for some office for the first time. However, for those who never held office, we can look at his record in what else he has done, both on the public record and off and make an informed judgment.
I think your real objection is the Senate is such an "important" office and for 6 years, we should see a known track record. Well, every man has a track record and a world-view which controls his actions. It just may not be (thankfully!) in politics. Anybody running for office should be willing to discuss all transparently and stand on it, as well as state his specific intentions should he gain the office.
IMHO, we would be better off having a Senate composed of upstanding nonpolitical citizens who are driven by moral principle rather than the pack of craven politicial hacks we now suffer under!
As near as I can determine I do not have to file with the FEC until such a time as I have raised $5,000.00 (I need to look deeper into this). Since this is a grassroots write-in campaign, and I am not raising funds, I don't see that $5K happening anytime soon. But I will file with them anyway as soon as I can get a committee in place, just in case any money comes in. Besides. I've checked the internet , and there is more than one person with my name (including middle initial) in this country, as a matter of fact there are two of us in the Richmond area. I'd hate for anyone else to claim my seat.
Love it! Wish I'd thought of it.
Best of luck - win it or just send a message. Either way - you win.
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