"TO GOVERN THE PEOPLE YOU NEED TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE"
2010 WRITE IN CAMPAIGN
This has become a write in campaign. I have exhausted all the avenues legislature created as road blocks which violate my Constitutional Rights to run for office in our State. I am asking all Oregon Citizens to put their party differences aside and to make a stand. Please write in the name; Richard Esterman on the General Election Ballot for the position of Governor. By doing this, we will unite and send a message to Salem that it is about the People, not Career, Money and Party control.
With that said....
My name is Richard Esterman and I have spent the last 54 years preparing for my next challenge in life. There is no such word in my vocabulary as can't and anything in this world is possible. My couch is now retired and I am stepping up to the plate for the working class and all of Oregon's citizens.
We have to start thinking as team with one common goal. For years, we have seperated ourselves into many different groups claiming different needs. If we would start working together everything will eventually fall into place.
I am still running for Governor even if I am a "Write In." I am not happy with our choices. On one side of the fence, we have a past governor and rich career politician, who is a large part of the mess we are in today. When one governor leaves office his supposed legacy follows to the next few terms. It amazes me how soon we forget. He also made the statement when leaving office, "This State cannot be governed."
On the other side of the fence, we have a a rich basketball player that has a plan. When asked about his plan, he will let you know what it is when he is elected. Let's think about this for a minute, He is a basketball player... Maybe his coach hasn't told him what his plan is yet.
For years, Republicans and the Democrats call candidates like myself a spoiler. The word spoiler is just part of the political word games to agitate the public. Instead of addressing the issues they use the phrase spoiler. It is up to the citizens of this state to have enough courage to say enough is enough. The State does not belong to the Democrats or the Republicans. It belongs to the Citizens of Oregon. Our State Constitution talks about equality, privileges and the same terms for all citizens. The two major parties have become so high and mighty, they seem to forget that the Constitution does not allow nobility. So in retrospect, who is really the spoiler!
I am registered as an Individual - Non Affiliated, which before the change by legistlature in 2005, was known as Independent. After researching all the avenues to run for Governor, I chose this one because it seemed unfair and was the most difficult. All Oregon citizens that want to run for office or otherwise should be treated equally. Now is the time to send a message to the Republicans and the Democrats, that we are tired of the political differences and money controlling our state. I will never be above the people. I will be with the people and I will be a Governor of the People.
It is an Honor and a Privilege to Serve and no where in our State Constitution does it say, Career, Money, Democrat or Republican. I believe in our Constitutional "Bill of Rights" State and Federal. Many of our service men and women have made the ultimate sacrifices to keep our Constitution in place. I feel that legislature or any governing body has not earned the right to alter or change them in any way.
People are out of work, the homeless situation is at such an all time high that no corners are available and many of us do not have health insurance. While other gubernatorial candidates are about stats, I am more concerned about all the issues at hand and getting down to business.
To be up front and forward. Oregon is a state that presently kills off it's wounded . Most effected in a down turn economy is our elderly and children due to lack of funds. This is not acceptable!!!
It is a fact that government will always go after schools, police and fire protection when things go financially bad. What we need is a Commoner as Governor, that is not afraid to tighten government's belt, take responsibility and to be held accountable. We can't keep threatening the protection of the citizens of Oregon.
There are many issues in our state that concern our citizens. My platform is not limited to just one issue or concern. Picture a game board. Most of the gubernatorial candidates focus on a corner of the board. I feel that is in the best interest of the citizens of Oregon to address the whole board.
The run for Governor is not a glory thing for me. It is about what is right and wrong with our state today. I am not going to pretend that I have all the answers. If we can put our differences aside, we as a people, can achieve anything. The main prescription in solving the issues of today, is to Listen to the People and actually hearing what is being said. Some common sense wouldn't hurt as well.
As Governor, I will not except free health insurance and will pay for it just like the hard working citizens of our state. I will also impose on all of our elected officials across the state to do the same. This alone will help take a chunk out of our state deficient.
I seem to be the only candidate left running for Governor that is not career or financially well off. When I started I considered myelf middle class, I am now poor. This election is not about who is a career politician or a millionaire. It is about voting for someone who relates to the working class that is concerned about your wants and needs. I do not owe anyone, except the Citizens of Oregon.
I have concerns with any Democrat or Republican candidate who takes advantage of the new Fusion Voting Law and crosses over to gain a minor party nomination as well. They have already won a nomination for the General Election Ballot. It makes me wonder what and who they really stand for. Are they really for the people or themselves?
This is about we, not I.
Please view my Bio and Platform and feel free to email me with any of your comments and concerns.
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THE INDEPENDENT PARTY
The only Independent Governor elected in the State of Oregon was Julius Meier (1931-1935). Since 1859, there have been 21 Democratic and 20 Republican Governors.
If given the honor and privilege to be nominated we will succeed.
VOLUNTEERS
Anyone who would like to volunteer or contribute to our campaign, meaning the people's campaign, feel free to contact us at
(541)549-8905
Email to:
SALEM NEWS STORY
7-30-10
SALEM NEWS ARTICLE
YOU TUBE CLIP "THE SOURCE WEEKLY"
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FUSION VOTING
NEW LAW
6-15-2010
I am not in favor of the new Fusion Voting Law for the simple reason, that it is one more excuse for our state government to confuse and take choice away from our citizens.
What is it going to take to get the message to sink in. It is not Democrats, Republicans, Major parties and Minor parties. It is "We the People"
The new Fusion Voting was designed by some minor parties, with the illusion, that major party candidates would take their ideals to their elected office.
Major Party candidates are now allowed to cross over and if nominated by the minor parties can carry up to three party names by their name on the General Election Ballot.
How confusing, especially when each party has their own values. For example: John Kitzhaber who is the Democratic nominee, is taking advantage of Fusion Voting by crossing over with an attempt to secure the Independent and Working Familes Parties nominations. He is a Democrat. The Democratic Party is suppose to stand for democracy and freedom of choice. Yet, he is the first, to attempt to take choice away from the people by crossing over. We must be very stupid to believe that he is going to put minor party values over his Democratic
Party.
Most major party candidates are in favor of the Fusion Voting because of the history of minor party candidates taking their votes away.
Any citizen in Oregon should have the same opportunity to run for an office without one more obstacle in their way. This is another example of backyard politics to take our choice away and fix the outcome of our elections.
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