Why I Decided To Run For Elected Office

I believe in choice at the ballot box and the two party system doesn't allow for much of that. Often there is no choice for many elected offices, it's either only Democrats or only Republicans. The 2006 election was different. Rich Whitney, a Green Party Candidate for Governor received almost 11% of the vote. Just getting on the ballot is a challenge if you are not a candidate of one of the two main - corporate - political parties.

If I could change one thing about US politics, it would be to outlaw corporate and special interest group campaign contributions. US Supreme Court decisions indicate that won't be happening anytime soon. All Green Party Candidates declare that will not accept corporate or special interest group campaign contributions. That single issue started my interest with the IL Green Party. By not accepting corporate or special interest money, Greens are at a disadvantage. Once in office, however, they can govern without any conflict of interest that campaign contributions from corporations and special interest groups present.


People do what they can to make society a better place. Some, for example, write letters to the editor, others volunteer their time, or donate money and some people run for public office. I realize that not everyone has the time nor desire to run for office, but I think that is where I can contribute the most - effect real change.

I believe in the ILGP principles. Just like candidates from the other two parties, there are differences of opinion among ILGP candidates. They do, however, have more in common than separates them.

In future Blogs, I will discuss some of the Illinois Green Party principles and what they mean to me and my campaign for McHenry County Board. You can find out more about the Illinois Green Party at http://www.ilgp.org/

Introduction

Welcome to my political Blog. I am the 2010 Illinois Green Party candidate for McHenry County Board, District 5. District 5 includes Dorr Township (most of Woodstock, much of Bull Valley, all of Ridgefield and a small part of Crystal Lake) and the eastern half of Grafton Township - east of RT 47 (half of Huntley, bits of Lake-In-The-Hills, Lakewood, Algonquin, and Crystal Lake). The election is Tuesday, November 2.

My interest in the IL Green Party began after the 2006 election. In that election the ILGP candidate for Governor, Rich Whitney, received approximately 360,000 votes and obtained ballot status for the ILGP. I helped start a local McHenry County Green Party chapter in 2007.

I am committed to the ILGP for the long-term. I don't expect many ILGP candidates to get elected immediately, but hope that with each election cycle we get more votes. Many voters aren't familiar with third parties or the ILGP. This Blog will help with explaining the ILGP and my platform for the County Board election.