DECLARATION OF AN INDEPENDENT

DECLARATN OF AN INDEPENDENT



The inspiring words penned by Thomas Jefferson, which formalized the severance of the American colonies from British rule, have not lost their ability to inspire those who live under tyranny. As Americans, we take justifiable pride, pointing to the “Rights” guaranteed by the US Constitution providing freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, the presumption of innocence, the right to bear arms etc.
And yet, our federal representative government is dominated by two major political parties, each vying to reach the pinnacle of national power and control. Each of the two major parties has its faction whose interests are served by the political power gained through elective office. That accumulation of political control of our national priorities tends to defeat the balance of power provisions which represent the genius of the US Constitution.
The American electorate has juggled with the political excesses of these major parties by favoring one or the other from time to time using the power of the ballot.-
The mother's milk of political parties is money, and though third parties have attempted to compete, the organizational strength of the majors has prevailed ----- until now.
With the Internet, candidates for public office can now raise the necessary campaign funds without relying on a political party. Howard Dean and Barak Obama (among others) have shown that campaign coffers can be filled from “small donations” by individual contributors via the Internet.
And so, dear friends, the Age of the Independent candidate has dawned, which will revitalize political life in the United States. Political control of the Executive and Legislative functions of government by one party (read faction) is on its way out.
Thanks to the Internet, the American electorate can now choose candidates whose loyalty is to their constituents and not to the interests of a political party. Does this mean that the two major parties will cease to exist? Not likely.
Knowing how quickly political factions can adapt to a new reality, the major parties ability to survive is fairly assured. The changes needed for survival, however, must incorporate honest debate and a proven dedication to serving the interests of the American people.
The American electorate can now experience a new burst of freedom as Independent candidates take charge to press forward the frontiers of representative government.

Richard Todd Snoqualmie WA 5/20/08