The Vision / The Candidate / The Plan

I love my country and I want to do the most for it with the time I have. My goal is to arrive in Washington without the baggage of a political career. I will not owe anyone for donating big money, for pulling strings to put me in power, or for past voting deals or political favors. Instead I will offer the best solutions to problems and not a party's political agenda. I will offer independent arbitration to a divided government and real change from the real world.

A government OF the people means you can best be represented and served by someone more like you, a hard working American citizen, not a career politician. I went to public school, had a part time job, paid for my first car and my own college (except for the first year - thanks mom & dad), and started working right after college. I have a wife, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a hermit crab. I have a mortgage and car payments like you. Making America great and healthy is my goal. Starting a career of politics is not.

Born and raised in Ohio, now living in Lexington, Kentucky; I am that average American citizen who believes - as the US Constitution allows - that "one of us" can rise to the challenge of the presidency. I believe in hope. I believe that America, with all her faults, is still the greatest home of freedom, rights, justice, military might, technology, and opportunity in the world. With such greatness comes great responsibility. Consider the following:

America is in crisis.

The slow moving and territorial characteristics of the two party system need to be changed. Make no mistake, change can be painful. People will usually accept change only after a crisis or when a crisis is perceived on the horizon. What we must face is the fact that these crises have been on our horizon, or in the forefront, for many years and the current system is not working to fix them.

• The national debt and deficit spending are out of control. We need a balanced budget.
• Our children and friends fight in a war against terror. We must continue to press the battle where needed, but focus on the protection of our nation rather than the rebuilding of another.
• Our borders are not secure. Every border and port must be protected. Every citizen and visitor must be here legally.
• International affairs are at crisis levels across the globe. We need less posturing and immediate problem resolution.
• Dependence on foreign oil is causing high prices and stressful international relations. We need abundant and domestic energy sources to meet our needs for our houses, businesses, and automobiles. Alternative energy is a key to our future.
• Taxation is confusing and plagued by corruption. Simple and fair taxation must be put in place.

We have little time to fix the problems. New thinking must be brought in now. I bring a new viewpoint and with your help a mandate. No longer acceptable will be attitudes or phrases such as, "We've never done it that way before", "Democrats and Republicans don't get along", or "I'll vote for this if you vote for that". We must try different ways: work together as Americans, examine every issue and make the right decision based solely on the facts of each issue. We must bridge the gap between those elected and those they serve; bringing in experts in finance, medicine, and administration to help us solve our problems. We must take bold steps to forge alliances with past friends and foes to make the world a safer and healthier place for everyone.

We need solutions, not politics.

I am running for office to bring about change. I am outside the current political system, but see this as an advantage. It takes an impartial judge to make the best decisions. Many companies today hire outside consulting firms to see the problems that they themselves are blind to.

• I will actually answer the questions of reporters, supporters, and opponents. If I don't have an answer, I won't make one up or redirect the question to a talking point or campaign slogan. I find spin aggravating and I'm sure you do too.
• I will not claim to always have the answer. I don't know everything, but have the intelligence and passion to do things right. I will also surround myself with people who can help me find the right answer.
• I will not claim to have the power to fix every problem. A President can only do so much. Any President that promises you more is lying. In America we have a system of checks and balances. The judicial and legislative branches are not under the thumb of the President, and they shouldn't be.
• After I am elected, I will not campaign for a second term. If I do a good job in the first four years, you'll vote for me again. If not, you shouldn't vote for me a second time around. Instead of campaigning, I will stay in Washington and do the work I am supposed to be doing.
• I will make unpopular decisions if they are right. I will not run a popularity campaign. When the people elect me for change, they will get it.
• My daughter is cute. She'll be 10 when I take office and I assume she will still be cute then. Therefore I need Secret Service protection for her. Yes, we can have a President with a sense of humor.

You can help now.

I need you to be part of the plan. I am no politician, but I care about making a difference in our country and in our world. And so I want to take the unprecedented step of going from "normal guy" to President in one leap. I have never led a nation or troops into battle. I have never been governor or held any public office. I have never even run for the PTA. But I've worked, organized people and projects, settled disputes, used common sense and logic to bring solutions to problems. Perhaps you will agree with me that we need some problem solving in our government, and restoration of some common sense too. Since childhood, I have been that person in the crowd or class that gets along with everyone. The same holds true today. I want to prove that I can do the same in Washington and with fellow world leaders.

I have no secret millions of dollars behind me, no corporate sponsors, and no time to take off my job to campaign. So the good word must be spread by e-mail, word of mouth, and friends telling friends to support me.

This is your part!

There is a theory that within six relationships, you are connected to everyone in the world*. It must be less for only the United States. So if you know and trust me, trust someone who trusts me, or just like what you see on this site; and are willing to tell someone, this can happen!

Register so people will take notice. Take a stand with me if you believe I am right. Tell others if you care enough to make our country better. Tell me more.

1. Register now!! (Your e-mail address will never be shared with others and you will never be asked for money!)

*1967 Six Degrees of Separation by Stanley Milgram, validated by Small World Research Project of Columbia University in 2003.