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Winning isn't an option

I may slip up every now and again. The phrase "winning the election" is firmly engraved in our lexicon but I intend to refer to my bid as an attempt to be elected.   Should I get the most votes, I want those that helped in that quest to get the satisfaction you get from doing a job well done.  I don't want to see the euphoria you often see as if getting elected was the same as defeating an invading enemy.  I think it's important to realize getting elected becomes confirmation of a commitment; confirmation I'm going to have a lot of work to do.  Yes, I expect I will enjoy it.  But getting elected is more like getting picked in the draft than it is winning the Super Bowl.  

The first paragraph was an aside from the main intent of this article.  I originally started to composed this article to state explicitly that I intend to get elected as the Representative to the US Congress for the 8th District of Ohio.  I felt I needed to write this because I acknowledge freely that today --19 Feb 2010 -- the probability of getting elected is slim.  If professional campaigners are to be believed acknowledging this fact puts me at a grave disadvantage.  They tell me it restricts the number of people who might vote for me to those smart enough to understand the odds, but still recognize my main objective still is to get elected.  I personally think there are enough 8th district voters to make this happen. Yes, I campaign expecting to achieve goals in addition to the main goal but never doubt the main goal.  

In order for me to be elected people will need to react much differently than the professional campaigners believe they will act.  For instance it is believed that people won't vote or even consider the real long shot.  I certainly will have to overcome this perception if I am to have a chance at being elected.  Also, the general consensus is people aren't going to want to delve into the thought process or contemplate the arguments.  Give it to them fast, give it to them frequently, and give it to them simple.  You'll notice when I write these articles I don't do it concisely.  I'll let myself bring into the conversation tertiary thoughts and I rely on the reader to pick out the main ideas and think about possible ways forward.  I have the ability to write in bullet sentences, after all I was formally an Air Force Officer, but I think some of the rambling and extras I put into these articles help you know where I'm coming from and what decisions I might make once you've sent me out as your representative. Quite honestly, if you don't like who I am; how I think; or trust in the way I might vote; I shouldn't be your representative.  If you look at me a little or look at me a lot and decide I'm not someone you want to vote for, I won't be offended.  The crux of my strategy is to be as open as possible.  I'm confident if people really thought about what I write and the points I try to make they will judge me as the best choice as their representative.  

Campaign Strategy:  Beyond my belief there are enough people interested in examining a candidate there are also a few expectations that have to be met in order for me to be elected.  First people will have to remember me and decide they want to see and read more with just one or two introductory exposures.  I have no intention of soliciting or collecting campaign contributions until I gain measurable name recognition and measurable positive reaction.  At this time I think it would be a waste of your money if you sent it to me.  Another consideration, if I spend less than $5000 on the campaign it saves a lot of paperwork.   Even if I gain good name recognition I very likely would limit the campaign to $50,000.  I think doing more with $50,000 than other candidates can do with $500,000 is a powerful statement and the kind of results I hope to see as a legislator.  Now is the time for me to prove it can be done.  If I decided to go that route, in order to spend $50,000 I would have to set up a means to accept campaign contributions, so if I can get on $5000 or less I'd prefer that route.  That leads me to wonder about re-election.  At this time I think I would be able to squirrel away enough of my Representative salary that I could self finance a re-election campaign fund of over $100,000.  As a Congressman I would be making considerably more than what I and my family need and can easily see putting in $100,000 over the two year term.   This should free up a lot of my time which would allow more contact with the issues and the people of the 8th district.  This leads into a question of outside income.  I think it is reasonable that people in congress shouldn't pursue significant earnings outside congress.  Knowing that people often change their views I'll make a committed that for my first two terms I won't accept other outside income such as book deals or sweetheart stock purchases.  I'll use Cd's or US Savings Bonds for any new money I put into savings.  If after two terms I want out of this arrangement I'll make sure to publish that desire during the campaign for my third term.

Speaking of publishing.  I like writing and communicating my thoughts so I expect I will continue to express my views via this online magazine.  I just won't open it up for subscriptions again until after leaving office.  That leads into a discussion on communicating with the people of the 8th district.  I hope to run my office in such a manner people get to communicate their needs and feedback.  I expect to have office hours.  This may mean people with similar concerns have to agree to come in at a common appointment.  Since as congressman I'll be in Washington DC often, it may mean my presence may be via webcam but I do think it is important for a congressman to meet and hear from constituents.  I imagine there is a lot of mail received at a congressional office.  I think it is a high priority for that mail to be read and replied to.  However, if it turns out there is more mail than the allotted staff can attend to I think it reasonable for the office to list and publicize the backlog.  I also think it is reasonable for the congressman to publish a time sheet complete with issues attended to.  After all I should be accountable to the public.  How can the public reasonably expect more or judge my performance if they don't know how long or on what I am working?  

This leads to the last item I address in this article and the only "Issue" I talk about here.  I expect value for my tax dollar.  On the issue of value I think the Federal government has an obligation to do much better.  I also believe the amount of taxes we collect compared to the gross national product is sufficient to pay for all needed government duties and responsibilities.  There is no excuse for our current deficit spending.  You will see in my other articles many opportunities for people to claim I'm for new taxes.  This may be technically accurate.  But I don't believe the government needs any more tax revenue.  So if you see me propose looking at increasing or creating a tax on one segment of society or industry be assured I believe this tax increase should be offset by a reduction of some other tax (or the prospect of some great gain in efficiency).  I propose shifting tax burdens because I believe businesses and individuals calculate tax affects when deciding how to operate.  Getting the right formula when assessing taxes can promote a business environment that leads to the constitution's stated goal to "promote the general Welfare".