CNN/Project Vote Smart
The letter I received from CNN's Political Director Sam Feist, and Managing Editor Meredith Artley, stated: "CNN is collaborating with Project Vote Smart on the 2010 Political Courage Test as part of its continued commitment to provide the American public with the most accurate and comprehensive information about those who wish to represent them."
The letter I received from former U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, former U.S. Representative Bill Frenzel, former Massachursetts Governor Michael Dukakis, and President of Project Vote Smart Richard Kimball stated: "Your level of political courage and responses will be released to the news media shortly after the deadline (September 22nd). This information will also be available through Project Vote Smart's web site: www.votesmart.org, U.S. Government Owner's Manuals, and the Voter's Research Hotline (1-888-Vote-Smart).
The following 7 September 2010 submissions of mine partially define my ideas pertaining to a variety of issues:
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Sexual intercourse that could conceivably lead to pregnancy is a human experience beyond the capacity of governmental regulation. Until a recognized genius has demonstrated the ability to create life, artificially ending the biological component parts prematurely is an act of arrogance that only Lucifer could duplicate. Questions pertaining to the origin of life itself and to the existence of souls inhabiting human bodies should cause wise people to pause before making decisions that might be contrary to the desires of God.
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Cutting the size of government by 30-50% during a 7-year transition would allow us to lower the rate of taxation proportionately. Merging departments, lowering wages and pensions, and totally reforming educational systems are essential if we are wanting to eliminate needless expenditures. Also, creation of Amerijericho, a state-of-mind nation composed of Tennessee and the surrounding ten states, would offer alternative choices for self-employed citizens who want tax-free self-sustaining lifestyles based on creativity, innovation, and hard work. This minority-participation project would have an economy based on a digital numerical point system undergirding free barter markets.
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Local, state, and federal governments have been corrupted by politicians over several decades because of incompetence, immorality, and selfishness. The mind set of lawyers and other educated people who have dominated the lives of "we the poor people" for much too long now have proven themselves unsuited for leadership. We need to "Greatly Decrease" the way the corrupt political system is used to seduce... indoctrinate... brainwash gullible voters who remain too ignorant to vote smart. Otherwise, a government that is too broke to fix should be abolished before chaos on the streets becomes a normal routine.
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Disengaging from federal entanglements would be essential to regaining state sovereignty under a James Reesor administration. Land, waters, and all natural resources must remain under our full control if we hope to move into the future without being hamstrung by laws and oppressive regulations. Law enforcement and our court systems must have the flexibility to cope with criminal behavior in ways that rely on arbitration – more than on prosecution. The cost of dealing with crime... educating people... employing government workers... and subsidizing health care requirements all adds up to more than taxpayers can afford.
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The biggest problem for candidates identified as "Independents" – such as myself – is that Democrats and Republicans have lost their way as Constitution-honoring patriots. Instead of maintaining tranquility and mutual respect while serving in public office, they've become too combative. Double-talking, wheeling and dealing, deceptive practices on the path to gaining excessive personal power is not time well spent. Also, the "unethical tactics" of the media has led to totally ignoring anyone who is not a member of their "elitist bigot" club. Free publicity should be itemized as "in-kind contributions" to keep campaigns honest!
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Our human experience is not something that can be fully understood by anyone. Each person is a unique creature with variable thought processes. Respect for our individual characteristics should be assured by cultural standards – and not one of us deserves to be condemned or ostracized because of perceived differences. However, if our desire to experience freedom – or if unrealistic expectations of others conflict with inherent "rights" bestowed upon us as inhabitants on this planet, we should never be threatened by people or government entities without an opportunity to defend ourselves.
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I support family unity within communities where self-sustaining lifestyles can be created. We need to encourage self-employment within family-owned businesses. Distribution of goods and provision of services could be done through free barter market opportunities under a digital numerical point system – rather than dependency on current methods. There has been too much reliance on non-productive "paper-shuffling" and not enough time spent on inventing new and better ways of providing "products" needed or wanted by consumers. The appeal of shifting to low-wage foreign manufacturing is one example of why we are now a nation in crisis.
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High school students should be taught sufficient skills to get part-time jobs at minimum-wage. Employers could then determine if they want to participate in a "Striving for Excellence (SE) program by "contracting" with the student/parent for the purpose of subsidizing a continuing education in an institution of their choice. This alternative to existing traditions would be the best way to maintain the status quo until my proposed "Mind Formation System" can be introduced in Tennessee. We need to be thinking globally, rather than nationally or even regionally, if we want to remain compatible with all competitive forces on this planet.
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As Governor of Tennessee, I would be adhering to five lifetime priorities: (1) God (2) Planet Earth (3) Family (4) Community (5) Nation – in that order. As believers in God – (The Father Creator/Lord Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit) – reverence for His divinity and ability to inspire and/or guide us in decision-making processes is the most important task to be undertaken. Our total dependency on this planet is vital to survival. Preservation of the eco-system and utilization of natural resources must be done to benefit families, communities, and nations. Let us do so fairly in ways that prohibit greed.
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Criminals conceal weapons that are not licensed; therefore why should citizens be restricted by the government and not be able to defend themselves in public or at home? Governments are sometimes corrupted and controlled by corrupt people; therefore, why should citizens not be able to defend themselves by any means possible? Is freedom not worth fighting for? Are American citizens supposed to lay down and die when attacked – or volunteer to pay high taxes and work like slaves at the point of a gun?
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The idea of "insurance" is contrary to my spiritual beliefs, but I do compromise – reluctantly – because our society and the economy is saturated with evil systems that cannot be easily eradicated. Trying to make the best out of something so obviously inefficient is not worthy of serious consideration if we want to solve existing problems. We need a better way to assist people when medical care is required. Instead of insurance, maybe alternative options should include "compassionate subservience" instead of "profit-motivated" enterprises?
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There are legal and "spiritual" considerations that are often overlooked. Do we still claim to have "trust" in God and the Constitution He inspired men to write? I have become extremely disappointed by the decline of morality in our nation over recent decades – and the inability of so-called "Christians" to stand firm in their faith. Ideas about "sex" and "human relationships" are so complex that fools would rather let biological urges take precedence over universal laws – than abide by "spiritual rules" that they mock. Did you know God imparts souls at conception and souls merge during sexual intercourse?
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I believe we need to use the power of government to improve the lives of citizens without intruding into their privacy. Our limited tax revenues should be directed towards enhancing community lifestyles where family unity is emphasized. Creation of a Mind Formation System that is compatible with a realistic "free barter market" economy would help us overcome problems resulting from unemployment and poverty. We need to do everything possible to encourage creativity and productivity within family-owned businesses operated by self-employed workers. New "inventions" will lead to better lives where credit and debt is no longer a desired option.
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The Results of My "Political Courage Test" Can Be Found By Clicking This Link
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Vote Smart for A Change... even if you are stupid!
